Turkey's EU minister reaffirms incidents of 1915 "not a genocide"

ISTANBUL (A.A) - Turkey's European Union (EU) minister and chief negotiator said on Tuesday that incidents of 1915 were "not a genocide." Egemen Bagis said Swiss prosecutor should not lose time and investigate himself when commenting on a preliminary investigation launched against himself by the Swiss Prosecutor's Office. "I said that day the incidents of 1915 were not a genocide. And, I am repeating it here today and I am basing my words on our documents and archives," Bagis told reporters before flying to Brussels, Belgium. Bagis said Turkey's history was always cleaner than that of countries which dared to question Turkey. "Nobody should try to give us lessons about human rights, freedom of expression or agonies experienced in the past," he said. Egemen Bagis said Turkey had no hesitations or nothing to worry about, and Turkey considered such initiatives non-existent.  Bagis called on Germany, United States, France, Armenia, Russia and Britain to open their archives, and asked all historians to make academic studies on the issue.  "Then, we, the politicians, can get the reports about history and take some steps for the future," Bagis also said. Bagis later left for Brussels, Belgium.  Egemen Bagis will meet European Parliament President Martin Schulz, Socialist Group's leader Hannes Swoboda, Turkey Rapporteur Ria Oomen-Ruijten and members of Committee on Foreign Affairs in Brussels. Bagis is also expected to have a meeting with European Commissioner for enlargement Stefan Fule and European Commissioner for Competition Joaquin Almunia.