All news

Lavrov calls inadequate Turkey’s reaction to resolution on genocide of Armenians

"There must have been some reasons which pushed initiators of the discussion to have it now, but I cannot speculate about it," Russia’s Foreign Minister said

MOSCOW, June 4. /TASS/. The Bundestag’s decision to recognize genocide of the Armenian people comes from Turkey’s resistance to become a true counterpart of the EU in certain issues, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with the Vesti on Saturday weekly television program.

"There must have been some reasons which pushed initiators of the discussion to have it now, but I cannot speculate about it," Lavrov said. "Of course, we learned the discussion was planned, though only last minute."

"I believe, this can be explained by Turkey’s lack of desire to be a true counterpart in a series of issues, by its regular attempts of scandals, of insulting its counterparts, including those in Europe," the foreign minister said. "My opinion is their reaction to the Bundestag’s decision is absolutely inadequate."

Germany’s Bundestag unanimously adopted on Thursday a resolution calling mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire genocide despite Turkey’s protests.

Only one MP voted against the document, while another one abstained.

The document is titled "In remembrance and commemoration of the genocide of the Armenians and other Christian minorities in the Ottoman Empire 101 years ago."

Representatives of the Turkish community of Germany spoke against the resolution. They believe it is going to poison the public climate in a country where about 3 million Turks live. In a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for reason and common sense in connection with the German parliament’s plans. Turkish new Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has described the vote as farcical.

Ankara does not recognize the term "genocide", which some countries use to characterize the events that took place in the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. Turkey insists that both Turks and Armenians suffered in those clashes, which it classifies as fratricidal war.