Turkey says German recognition of Armenian genocide is a 'plot'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said the German parliament's recognition of the 1915 Armenian genocide was a "plot" against his country, but noted that conflict with Berlin would not affect relations with the European Union (EU).

The Turkish leader claimed media outlets were involved in the "plot" and that parliament's decision was taken after orders from a "superior authority", Efe news reported.

Erdogan, who has already warned that the decision will affect relations with Germany, pointed out that those who acted against the interests of Turkey "would lose an important friend".

He also harshly criticised German Chancellor Angela Merkel for not intervening to stop the decision.

The Turkish president added that while the issue was related to Germany, it would be wrong to tie it with relations between Turkey and the European Union.

On Thursday, German parliament approved, almost unanimously, a decision to acknowledge the Armenian genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Empire a century ago.

The resolution described the deaths of between 800,000 to 1.5 million Armenian Christians in the 1915 massacres as "genocide" - a term that Turkey had rejected.

Turkey slammed the vote, recalling its ambassador in Berlin and threatening reprisals.

--IANS

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