Turkish Armed Forces General Staff warns those who support public use of Kurdish languageDecember 18, 2010 - 15:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Following a statement by Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Co-Chairman Selahattin Demirtas, who said the Kurdish language should be usable in all aspects of life in Turkey, including in the official sphere, the Turkish Armed Forces General Staff reacted strongly against a bilingual Turkey. The General Staff issued a written statement saying that discussions on language are nearing the point of radically altering the “founding philosophy” of the republic and that this situation is a big concern for the armed forces. “The Turkish Armed Forces have always been and will continue to be on the side of the unitary, secular nation state, which is enshrined in the Constitution,” the statement said. It recalled that, according to the Constitution, the official language of the state is Turkish and that it is among the unalterable articles of the Constitution, Sunday's Zaman reported. “Language, culture and unity in ideas are the indispensable parts of being a nation,” the statement reads. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Freedom House: “Why are there no Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh?” Freedom House has published a report summary titled “Why are there no Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh?” Armenia says wants expanded transport, energy connectivity Pashinyan says Armenia is interested in the expansion of connectivity in transport, energy, telecommunications and other directions. Aliyev: Change in Armenia’s Constitution key for singing peace deal Ilham Aliyev has declared that most important condition for signing a peace agreement is for Armenia to change its Constitution. U.S. sees “extraordinary” opportunity for peace between Armenia, Azerbaijan U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken believes there is an “extraordinary” opportunity to reach a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. |