Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejects Aznavour's allegations

Spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Levent Gumrukcu said that the argument made by Armenian Ambassador in Bern, Charles Aznavour that a Turkish Prime Minister expressed hatred of Armenians and Greeks was "baseless and meaningless" and that they strongly rejected such an argument. In a written statement released on Saturday, Spokesperson Levent Gumrukcu said that Aznovour's comments came up during a TV program in Switzerland and that they could not understand where Aznavour's arguments had their origins in. "We strongly reject this baseless and meaningless allegation (of Aznavour). The Turkish people have a long history of co-existence with the Armenian and Greek peoples. We always stress that trying to create enmity based on history is a wrong act," Gumrukcu underlined. "On the other hand, we find as positive Aznavour's suggestions to normalize Turkish-Armenian relations. While we may not join some of Aznavour's evaluations, the right method to better understand historic incidents and to establish a peaceful common future lies in dialogue, empathy and just memory," Gumrukcu also said. Shahnour Vaghenag Aznavourian, better known by his stage name Charles Aznavour, is a French and Armenian singer, songwriter, actor, public activist and diplomat.