Turkish Institute for Progress Applauds Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan for Joining Call for a Progressive Approach to Turkish-Armenian Relations

NEW YORK, April 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaders of the Turkish Institute for Progress (TIP) today are excited that Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has joined TIP and countless Armenians and Turks across the globe in calling for a more forward-thinking approach to Armenian-Turkish relations for the next 100 years.

On April 22^nd, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said there should be no preconditions in restarting the peace process and would not insist that Turks accept that the act committed by the Ottoman Empire constituted genocide. "We shall at the end of the day establish normal relations with Turkey and establishing those normal relations should be without any preconditions," President Sargsyan told a group of foreign journalists.

Sargsyan's call comes after a letter sent by TIP on April 20^th, in which TIP called on President Sargsyan to reestablish a dialogue that would begin the healing process and focus on ideas for bringing Turkey and Armenia together, without igniting the century old debate on the tragic events that impacted hundreds of thousands of Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and Armenians during that period.

"This is a vital first step toward reopening diplomatic relations and fostering a greater sense of unity between two neighbors in a geo-politically critical region." said former Representative Solomon Ortiz (D-TX), an advisor to TIP. 

A poll conducted yesterday by Ipsos found that 90% of Americans support Armenia and Turkey forging better relations instead of focusing on the historic issues that have led to tension in the past.

"The actions taken by Presidents Sargsyan, Erdogan, and Obama mark a new chapter in Turkish-American relations, one defined by peace and progress, which is something nearly every American supports," Ortiz continued.

"We applaud President Sargsyan for joining TIP's call for a dialogue that focuses on peace and prosperity between our two great nations for the next years and beyond," said Derya Taskin, President of the Turkish Institute for Progress, who signed the letter to President Sargsyan. "We look forward to the healing of relations between Turkey and Armenia and hope that TIP can continue to play a positive role in this process."

Full text of the April 20, 2015 Turkish Institute for Progress letter is below:

Mr. Serzh Sargsyan
President of Armenia
26 Marshal Baghramian Ave.
Yerevan, 0077
Republic of Armenia

President Sargsyan,

A strong bilateral relationship between Turkey and Armenia is critical to the interests of Armenians and Turks across the globe. As regional instability continues to threaten the future of both peoples, it is essential that an open dialogue be established so we can put aside our differences to forge a new path forward and ensure a stable and secure future.

On February 16, 2015, when Armenia withdrew from the landmark 2009 Protocols, the Armenian state and its people were placed on an unfortunate collision course with the West. With the stroke of a pen, Armenia bent to external pressures and undercut hopes for normalized relations, open borders, increased trade, and constructive dialogue. Such obstruction will only yield another century of despair, despondency, and economic hardship for the Armenian people.

There is no doubt that all the people of the former Ottoman Empire suffered during this tragic period and many of their descendants continue to suffer today. There is no question, moreover, that our peoples' shared history before the establishment of the modern states of Armenia and Turkey has been marked by anguish. However, we cannot allow that suffering to derail our efforts to cooperate as two modern nations.

It is in both nations' interest to find new common grounds on which to build a foundation for relations. The Turkish Institute for Progress was founded, and is driven by, a new generation of Turkish Americans who are unwilling to allow the last century of political strife to undermine what should be a mutually beneficial and warm kinship.

We urge you to please reconsider your decision and sit down with Turkish representatives during your official visit to the United States in hopes of reopening diplomatic relations. This action alone would be a major step forward.  We, the Turkish Institute for Progress, would also like to extend an invitation to meet with us and discuss ideas about how we can bring our two countries together and focus on the next 100 years and beyond.

We cannot afford to delay. Action on this will ensure that the next generation -- that of your son and daughter – can look forward to a brighter and more prosperous future.

Sincerely,

Derya Taskin
President, Turkish Institute for Progress

The Turkish Institute for Progress was formed to provide a forum for dialogue in pursuit of peace, and cooperation between Turkey and the international community. By meeting on the common ground defined by shared regional political, economic, energy, transport, scientific, technical, and cultural issues, TIP pursues a constructive dialogue to ensure that international relationships with Turkey are marked by unity and the shared pursuit of common goals. For more information, visit www.turkishprogress.org.

SOURCE Turkish Institute for Progress

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