TURKEY BELONGS TO ALL OF US

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis paid a courtesy visit to Armenian Patriarchate at Kumkapı in Istanbul.

Reminding that Mutafyan visited all EU member states without refusing their request in the period when Turkey was trying to get a date for negotiations, Bagis said that unfortunately Mutafyan's health problems prevented him from carrying out activities to support both his community and Turkey.

Saying that he conveyed his get-well wishes to Mutafyan and his mother, Bagis implied that Mesrob Mutafyan was a leader who had strongly supported Turkey's EU membership process.

Pointing out that the Turkish Armenian Congregation had elected Aram Atesyan as the Acting Patriarch last week since Mutafyan could not carry out his duty due to his health problems, Bagis said that he paid this visit also to congratulate Atesyan.

Indicating that we should all work together, without any discrimination and regardless of whatever a person's political view may be, for a more democratic, modernized and prosperous country, Bagis said, "Turkey belongs to all of us."

Source: AA