Vital to change mutual attitude of Turks, Armenians: Yerevan

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Hakob Arshakyan, the deputy speaker of the Armenian National Assembly, declared on Wednesday that the Turkish and Armenian nations should attempt to amend their grievances to attend to the respective countries' pertinent challenges.

Earlier today, 27 Armenian rescuers were dispatched to Turkey and 29 were dispatched to Syria in an effort to assist the countries with the aftermath of  Monday's earthquakes, which claimed more than 11,000 lives in both countries. 

"Turkey is our neighboring country and if we do not manage our problems, others will deal with them based on their interests. In order to cope with these problems, it is also necessary to change the mutual attitude of the peoples of the two countries toward each other," Arshakyan, a representative of the Civic Agreement faction in the Armenian parliament said on social media.

The deputy speaker pointed out that some Armenian parties were attempting to capitalize on the passions of Armenian society by using the decision of Armenian authorities to aid earthquake victims in Turkey.

"This humanitarian step is very important not only in terms of the attitude of Turkish society but also of the international community. It is an aspiration for a dignified conversation between the two countries, where Armenia speaks from its state interests ... In numerous confrontations, conflicts, and wars in the world, the sides are trying to find the edges of dialogue and manage the conflicts," Arshakyan added. 

The relationship between the two countries has been strained due to Turkey refusing to recognize Armenia's allegations of genocide that were committed by the Ottoman Empire during WWI. 

The relations between the two countries have further deteriorated because of the Nagorno-Karabakh war when Turkey supported Azerbaijan's claim to sovereignty over the region. 

Read more: Yerevan says Erdogan thanked Pashinyan for help after quake