Ruling party MP rejects claims authorities oppose international recognition of Armenian Genocide

Sargis Khandanyan, the Civil Contract party’s candidate for chair of the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Relations, said that the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide is not and should not be a priority on Armenia’s foreign policy agenda, while rejecting opposition claims that the Armenian authorities oppose other countries’ recognition of the genocide.

“We welcome all states that have recognized the Armenian Genocide and will continue to welcome the recognition process. However, in my opinion, the issue of genocide recognition is a matter for each state’s domestic agenda, reflecting the extent to which that state is committed to international humanitarian law and principles and, through its values, contributes to this process,” Khandanyan said in Parliament.

He added that Armenia plays an important role in international efforts to prevent genocide, particularly within the UN framework. He recalled that Armenia’s Foreign Ministry holds the “Against the Crime of Genocide” conference annually.

Khandanyan also clarified his position on the instrumentalization and weaponization of the Armenian Genocide issue.

“We are not saying that we want the Republic of Armenia to instrumentalize or weaponize this issue. Yes, it should not do so. We are saying that others are doing this to resolve other issues in their relations. This is very offensive to the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people,” he said.