President Erdoğan sends message to Mashalian, Armenian Patriarch of Türkiye

 

President Erdoğan said, "We will live freely forever as honourable citizens of the Republic of Türkiye, under the peaceful and reassuring shadow of our crimson flag with the white star and crescent."

With his message to Mashalian, Armenian Patriarch of Türkiye, President Erdoğan extended his heartfelt greetings to the esteemed members of the Armenian community.

In his message, President Erdoğan emphasised that he commemorated the Ottoman Armenians who lost their lives under the harsh conditions of World War I with respect and expressed his condolences to their descendants once again, adding, "We still feel the pain of the lives we lost due to rebellions, increasing gang activities, acts of subversion carried out by armed groups, and epidemics that took place during the times of war, corresponding to the last period of the Ottoman Empire. On the other hand, we are also aware of the need to establish our future together as 86 million citizens, with the belief that painful memories of the past should not hold the present and the future captive."

Emphasising that those who try to create hostility from history and shake the deep and strong bonds between them have not achieved their goals so far, President Erdoğan said:

"We, who have lived together on this land for centuries, continue to share our joy and sorrow today, just as we did in the past. We have never allowed even a single one of our people to be discriminated against, excluded, or marginalised for whatever reason, and we will never allow it to happen in the future. The peace, security, and well-being of our Armenian citizens, who have made valuable contributions to the culture, art, politics, economy, education, and social life of our country, will continue to be a priority, just like all of our other citizens."

"I once again respectfully commemorate all Ottoman citizens who lost their lives"

President Erdoğan, in his message, stated, "Just as we brought Türkiye to where it is today, we will build the Century of Türkiye together as well, shoulder to shoulder. We will live freely forever as honourable citizens of the Republic of Türkiye, under the peaceful and reassuring shadow of our crimson flag with the white star and crescent. With these thoughts, I reiterate that I sincerely share the sufferings of the Armenian community in the past, and I once again respectfully commemorate all Ottoman citizens who lost their lives."