Turkey's Parliament Speaker on the Armenian Genocide

Turkey's National Assembly Speaker Mustafa Sentop has once again raised the theses of state-sponsored genocide denial during a recent event. As reported by ermenihaber.am, Sentop sent a video message to participants of a conference organized by the Turkish Historical Society titled "The Van Massacre, Destruction and Occupation: A Road to Exile."

He emphasized that the decision made regarding the deportation in 1915 cannot be labeled as genocide and stated that Armenians base nearly their entire rhetoric on hostility towards Turks.

According to the Turkish official, the scope of the term "genocide" is clearly defined, and its application has very specific conditions. It is defined under international law, and as specified in the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the definition of the crime can only be applied if there is a decision from a competent court.

Injecting new life into the already known and overused Turkish denial theses, Sentop concludes that the events of 1915 do not meet the definition of the term "genocide" and that they lack the elements that, according to international law, allow these events to be classified as genocide.

At the end of his message, Sentop also addressed the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. He emphasized that they attach great importance to the normalization process started with Armenia and regard it as a crucial historical opportunity for the region.

Noting that radical elements of the diaspora must not be allowed to undermine this process and distort the relations, Sentop stated, "We call on all actors to adopt a constructive attitude and to support the aforementioned process."