June 09, 2016•Update: June 10, 2016
ANKARA
Turkey has outlined its possible moves if Germany does not correct its “mistake” following Bundestag’s non-binding resolution recognizing Armenian “genocide” claims, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said.
In remarks made to reporters late Wednesday at Ankara Esenboga Airport prior to his visit to the U.S. where he would be attending Muhammad Ali's funeral, Erdogan said a high-level security meeting had discussed the issue Wednesday.
"We specified some topics for our possible steps during our talks with government. We will take those steps if Germany will not correct its mistake," he said.
He also called on Germany to desist from what he termed as the "wrong" step.
"If it [Germany] does not desist from this wrong step, our steps will be different. In other words, the process will not be as it is now," he added.
He also noted that almost 3.5 million Turkish people lived in Germany.
Turkish president has slammed the German resolution several times before.
Earlier, he had warned: “Decision taken in the German parliament will seriously affect our relationship."
On June 2, the lower house of the German parliament approved a non-binding resolution recognizing Armenian claims of “genocide” during the 1915 events.
The resolution accused the Ottoman government of 1915 of allegedly carrying out “systematic genocide” against Armenians, as well as other Christian minorities.
Turkey denies the alleged Armenian “genocide”, but acknowledges that there were casualties on both sides during the events taking place in World War I.
According to Turkey's viewpoint, deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia in 1915 occurred after some sided with invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties.
Turkey describes the 1915 events as a tragedy for both sides.
Ankara has repeatedly proposed the creation of a joint commission of historians from Turkey and Armenia plus international experts to tackle the issue.
