” “"To find the right solution to the state of Kosovo, we have to respect the will of the Kosovaris": as he met the press during the EU summit, that he is attending as a guest, the president of the EU Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering, deals with several issues. "One day, Serbia and Kosovo will be in the EU together. I think this thought can help us find a solution to the issue now". Asked about the possible accession of Turkey to the EU, the German politician explains: "It is not the EU that must join Turkey, it is the other way round. So, Ankara must respect our rules and fulfil all the criteria decided by the EU for its accession" to the EU. But the crux of the genocide of the Armenians remains open … Poettering never uses the word "genocide": "There are crimes one has to reckon with. Even Germany had to reckon with its history and the period from 1933 to 1945. We cannot compare what happened in Armenia with the crimes committed by Hitler or Stalin, because every historical event is a one-off case. But, of course, to move on, one must acknowledge one’s past mistakes. And this applies to Turkey as well.” “
