How has the Turkish government explained its refusal to recognize the Armenian Genocide as genocide?

The Turkish government has consistently refused to recognize the events of 1915–1916 as genocide, despite the consensus among most historians that the systematic deportations and mass killings meet the definition of the term.12

The government’s position is based on the following arguments:

• National Security: Officials contend that the Armenian population was a rebellious element that posed a threat to the Ottoman Empire during the crisis of World War I. They argue that the deportations were a necessary measure to pacify this group and maintain security.13
• Denial of State Direction: While the government acknowledges that atrocities and killings occurred, it denies that these actions were initiated or directed by the Young Turks coalition or the central Ottoman authorities.13

Although government officials offered condolences to Armenian victims in 2014, they maintain that the events do not constitute a state-sponsored campaign of extermination.1