Turkish Press Review

ISTANBUL

The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

The majority of Friday’s newspapers dedicated their front pages to the first day of centenary commemorations of the Battle of Canakkale plus Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks over the incidents of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire at an event held in Istanbul on Thursday.

YENI SAFAK ran the headline “Call for peace,” on its report.

The daily cited Erdogan saying that historical documents about the 1915 events were open to all for analysis and called on Armenia and other countries to open their archives as well.

Erdogan also called for the establishment of a joint commission of historians and the opening of archives to study and uncover what happened between the Ottoman Empire and its Armenian citizens.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called on world leaders to strive for peace in the summit. "‘We extended a hand in peace’," was HABERTURK’s headline, citing Davutoglu.

Officials from 21 countries, including Britain’s Prince Charles, Australian Prime Minister Tim Abbott and Iraqi President Fuad Masum were present. Foreign dignitaries are gathering in Turkey to mark the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings during World War One.

"I offered a hand of friendship in 2014 to Armenia, but, unfortunately, it came to nothing," Erdogan said, adding that Davutoglu had recently offered a message of peace and he would also do so again this year.

CUMHURIYET daily’s front page headline was written in the Armenian language. "Never again" was the title of an article written by the wife of slain Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, who was assassinated by a Turkish teenager in 2007.

Rakel Dink wrote about how she felt about the 1915 events and recalled her husband and memories from her childhood.

"I am bitterly crying for humanity and the world’s politics. I am watching the humanity of 2015 and my soul groans within me," is a part of her quote carried on the front page.

Papers also covered highlights from celebrations held around Turkey involving the foundation of the Turkish Grand National Assembly -- Turkey's parliament -- plus Children’s Day events.

The president and prime minister received groups of children at their offices, with the children getting the chance to take the seats of the country’s two leaders and answer questions from the press.