A conference titled "The Armenian Question" was held at the Faculty of Tourism on April 30, 2025, with a presentation by Associate Professor Dr. Yasin Keleş. Attending the conference, attended by numerous academics and students, Assoc. Professor Dr. Keleş began by emphasizing the crucial role tourism professionals play in accurately promoting Turkey and shaping its international image. He stated that imperialist powers, in line with their unwavering goals, are attempting to keep the genocide lie alive to tarnish Turkey's image and portray it as a culprit in the eyes of the international community.
In his speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Keleş, who examined the course of the Armenian issue from the 1800s to the present, stated that the smear campaigns targeting the so-called genocide allegations, constantly raised on international platforms, can be easily dispelled by relying on the work of international scholars and archival documents. He stated that in the 19th century, imperialist powers provoked the Armenians, known as the Loyal Nation, in line with their own policies, that Armenian movements escalated into terrorist activities, and, finally, that they hampered the Ottoman Army's movements during World War I, aided the enemy during the war, instigated civil unrest in certain regions, and committed murderous acts. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Keleş, noting that the Gallipoli Land Battles began during a period when separatist and murderous Armenian movements were on the rise, provided information on the requirements, scope, and implementation of the Relocation and Resettlement Law, enacted in May 1915. He explained that the Ottoman Empire, defeated in World War I, was accused of deportation and again subjected to pressure from imperialist powers, even going so far as to cede territory with the Treaty of Sèvres, but the Armenian issue was officially resolved with the Treaties of Gyumri and Kars, signed by the Grand National Assembly.
He stated that the Armenian issue, which had gone unmentioned for decades by both Armenia and the international community, was being brought to the forefront of the world's attention through the assassinations of Turkish diplomats abroad by the ASALA terrorist organization, founded in 1975. He also noted that many Turkish diplomats, their families, and staff were being martyred. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Keleş stated that Armenian lobbying activities are strongly active in the international arena and that foreign parliaments do not hesitate to unlawfully accuse Turkey of this issue. He emphasized that the so-called genocide accusation cannot be accepted based on scientific facts and the work of impartial scientists, nor can it be made acceptable to the international community. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Keleş concluded his speech by emphasizing that every Turkish citizen is responsible for learning and knowing the subject correctly, and every tourism student is responsible for explaining it accurately to foreign visitors to Turkey, and that they need to be knowledgeable to do so, and the duties and responsibilities of tourism professionals in this regard.
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