Euronest Parliamentary Assembly Also Adopts Genocide Resolution
The 4th Ordinary Session of Euronest, founded by the European Union and its allies in Northeastern Europe and the Caucasus, is being held in Yerevan. At the session held on 17-18 March, a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide has been adopted.
According to Asbarez’s report, the resolution adopted by the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly on the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide calls on Turkey to officially recognize the Genocide, and to reconcile with its past. The resolution also states that the recognition of the Genocide will constitute an important stage in the prevention of crimes against humanity that may be committed in the future, and that recognition is important for the establishment of historical justice.
Before the Euronest resolution, both the EPP (European People’s Party), the largest party group in the European Parliament, and the European Parliament itself had adopted resolutions recognizing the Genocide.
Sandra Kalniete, EPP member, speaking during the session, reminded the audience of the support of her party group to the resolution; while European Parliament (EP) member Knut Fleckenstein (S&D, Germany) stated that Turkey should follow the path Germany did in the aftermath of the Holocaust. EP member Tatjana Ždanoka (Greens/EFA, Latvia) said that another 100 years should not pass for crimes to be referred by their names.
The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) declared that it welcomed and supported Euronest’s decision. EAFJD President Kaspar Karampetian stated, ‘this decision sends an important message to the European Parliament which will vote on the Genocide Decision on 15 April”.
Azerbaijan had previously declared that it would not take part in the Euronest meeting held in Yerevan on 17-18 March, 2015.
