Turkije roept op tot onpartijdig historisch onderzoek naar mogelijke genocide Armeniërs tussen 1915 en 1923 (en)

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has called for an unbiased study by historians of Armenian claims that their people suffered genocide at the hands of Ottoman Turkish troops around 90 years ago.

"We have opened our archives to those people who claim there was genocide. If they are sincere they should also open their archives", Mr Erdogan said at a press conference on Tuesday (8 March).

"Teams of historians from both sides should conduct studies in these archives".

He added, "We do not want future generations to have a difficult life because of hatred and resentment".

Armenia says that up to 1.5 million of its people were killed between 1915 and 1923 after a decision to carry out the killings by the political power in Istanbul at the time, known as the Young Turks.

Armenia also says that the killings amount to genocide.

Ankara has denied that it was genocide and insists that between 250,000 and 500,000 Armenians as well as thousands of Turks were killed when they clashed during World War 1.

This is not the first time the issue has been raised recently. In December, France angered Turkey by calling for recognition of the Armenian genocide.

Paris made it clear that the demand was not a condition for opening membership negotiations with Turkey but said it would be raised once talks are opened - expected in October.

France also officially recognised the Armenian genocide in 2001.

Mr Erdogan's call for a study into the issue follows strong criticism by the EU for Turkey's handling of a separate issue.

The EU on Monday condemned the use of "disproportionate force" used by Turkish police during a protest in Istanbul.

The police used truncheons and tear gas to break up a demonstration on Sunday ahead of International Women's Day.

The police crackdown has re-opened the debate in some quarters in the EU about whether Ankara will start EU talks on 3 October, as planned.