YEREVAN, 5 MAY, ARMENPRESS. All people and countries supporting justice must recognize the Armenian Genocide. This is what Basque Member of the Congress of Spain Rafael Larreina mentioned in an exclusive interview with “Armenpress” during the visit to Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex. On May 5, Basque Member of the Senate of Spain Urko Aiartza and Basque Member of the Congress of Spain Rafael Larreina visited Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex to pay their respects to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. They laid flowers at the Armenian Genocide memorial complex and toured the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute.

 In an interview with “Armenpress”, Rafael Larreina particularly mentioned the following:

 “I believe recognition of the Armenian Genocide is very important. It’s a pity that it’s taking too long. I believe all people and counties supporting justice must recognize the Armenian Genocide. The Parliament of the Basque Country has recognized it. This is why we wished to visit the memorial complex to publicly announce our recognition, pay tribute, declare that we share the pain and call on countries not having recognized the Armenian Genocide to do so because this is a matter of humanitarianism and democracy, as well as a matter of solidarity between people.

 “Armenpress”: You mentioned that the Parliament of the Basque Country has recognized the Armenian Genocide. Will any resolution be submitted to the Parliament of Spain?

 R. L.: As representatives of the Basques, we will raise this issue at all levels of our activity. Of course, we’ll work with Spanish organizations and institutions so that the Spanish government and institutions recognize the Armenian Genocide and so that they share the pain and join the European countries having recognized the Armenian Genocide. A couple of weeks ago, our efforts made the Parliament’s foreign affairs committee respect the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide with a moment of silence, but we want to receive consent to hold a plenary session devoted to recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

“Armenpress”: How would you assess the parliamentary elections in Artsakh?

R. L.: As observers, we assess the elections positively. We saw how all the international standards of democracy were followed. The elections were absolutely democratic. The people of Karabakh clearly and freely expressed their opinions, and I believe this should be viewed and acknowledged as a reality. I believe the steps that are being taken will lead to full recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, a republic that exists and is real.