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This written declaration commits only those who have signed it.
Written declaration No. 592 | Doc. 13773 | 16 July 2015
Historical controversy between Turks and Armenians
Over nine centuries of co-existence between Turks and Armenians is overshadowed by the tragic events during the World War I.
The ongoing dispute over this tragedy in the final years of the Ottoman Empire continues to distress Turks and Armenians today.
Communal and national memories that include the monumental loss of life, suffering and deprivation continue to mark their relations. Competing narratives on the 1915 events keep two peoples apart.
Bearing in mind the above, we, the undersigned members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe,
- commemorate the centenary of the Word War I and as an inseparable part of this tragedy we honour and pay compassion to the losses of peoples, fallen in the lands of the Empire in 1915;
- call on Turkey and Armenia to draw lessons from history towards a better future;
- invite both parties to address their history together and forge a new constructive relationship on the basis of dialogue, empathy and mutual respect;
- believe that an objective academic study of the relevant archives is necessary to reveal the truth;
- encourage both countries for the normalization of relations to ensure durable peace and stability in the Caucasus; and reiterate our support for the initiatives raised to these ends.