Turkey's current steps and reactions at latest developments, to say the least, are not adequate. Armenia’s Ambassador to EU

BRUSSELS, 20 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The issue of the Armenian Genocide has become a "litmus test" of democratization for Turkey, recognition and respect of human rights and Turkey's Europeanization way. The Head of Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union, Ambassador Tatoul Markarian stated this in an exclusive interview with “Armenpress”, which runs as follows:

- Recently, the European Union adopted a resolution on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. As the Head of Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union, what is Your opinion about the importance of the adoption of this resolution, taking into account that a similar resolution was adopted in 1987?

- You are absolutely right. In 1987 the European Parliament adopted a similar resolution. However, a number of factors make essential the circumstance of adoption of the Resolution. I will mention only a few of them.

It is a very long time in the international relations, especially in the current stage, which is characterized by the rapid development of the events and significant change of the realities and problems.

The former resolution was adopted in a different historical period and even in other world’s conditions and cold war context. Enormous changes have occurred, which are directly also related to the Armenian Question, I note only one of them; the existence of the independent Republic of Armenia.

During this time, the European Parliament and European Union have undergone a considerable transformation, which currently represents almost twice as much as member states than in 1987 and their role in the system of the international relations has been enormously changed,

The 100th anniversary itself made more important the reaffirming of the political message of the European Community on the Armenian Question, which was addressed to Turkey. It was also an opportunity to reassess and modernize the resolution of 1987, comply it with the current events, developments, concepts and perceptions.

- Which is the difference of actual text of those two resolutions or their political differences and emphases?

- The resolution of 1987 was among the first resolutions, which recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide and it was a quite serious document and an achievement. It was mostly a resolution on the Armenian Question, the Armenian minority in Turkey and Turkish state relations.

In those days, in all comments it is definitely evaluated, that the new resolution is not satisfied merely by the identification of historical truth or focus on the moral side and includes very clear political messages addressed to Turkey. It is highly important that despite the mentioned messages, the resolution is proposed jointly by the political parties of European Parliament.

The European Parliament, which represents 28 member states and a population of around 500 million, characterizes the actions perpetrated against the Armenians in Ottoman Empire as a Genocide corresponding to the provisions of the UN Convention, condemns the attempts of the denial of crimes against the humanity, pays tribute to the memory of one and a half million innocent victims, as well as by the European spirit of solidarity and justice joins the commemoration of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide and urges the European Commission and the European Council to follow its example.

It calls on Turkey to use the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, face with its history, recognize the Armenian Genocide and thereby pave the way for the real reconciliation of the Armenian and Turkish people.

It is noteworthy that the growth of number of the state member of EU and parliaments of other countries, which recognized the Armenian Genocide, is fixed in the resolution. It is emphasized the importance of preserving the memories of the past and highlighted, that it is not possible to achieve reconciliation without the truth and remembrance.

The new document as you see, has a completely different character and direction, reflects the current political realities and does not repeat a number of points of the 1987 resolution.

- Mr. Ambassador, it was said that it would be better, if the protocols weren’t mentioned. What would You say about this?

- It is no secret that the Turkish side, despite not ratifying them, tried to use the fact of protocols’ existence to prevent the adoption of resolutions, which recognize the Armenian Genocide. All by means, it required additional efforts from our diplomats and our community organizations for not allowing it. This document reflects on the protocols, but clearly urges Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The adoption of this resolution showed that even mentioning the protocols in the same resolution will not free Turkey from the imperative of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. And this is not just the perception of the Armenian side, but also the perception of the European Parliament.

- Mr. Ambassador, how do You imagine the further steps of Turkey?

- Turkey's current steps and reactions at the latest developments, to say the least, are not adequate. Turkey should either be able to resolve these issues by the way of bilateral civilized dialogue with Armenia and Armenians, or it will continue to encounter with our and international community’s ongoing and consistent pressure. There is no third option.

The issue of the Armenian Genocide has become a "litmus test" of democratization for Turkey, recognition and respect of human rights and Turkey's Europeanization way. And such profound and comprehensive reforms are initiated by the given country's government, or society, and/or the international community. In this case, the Turkish authorities, unfortunately, are not in the leading role.

The Head of Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union, Ambassador Tatoul Markarian stated this in an exclusive interview with “Armenpress”, which runs as follows:

- Recently, the European Union adopted a resolution on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. As the Head of Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union, what is Your opinion about the importance of the adoption of this resolution, taking into account that a similar resolution was adopted in 1987?

- You are absolutely right. In 1987 the European Parliament adopted a similar resolution. However, a number of factors make essential the circumstance of adoption of the Resolution. I will mention only a few of them.

It is a very long time in the international relations, especially in the current stage, which is characterized by the rapid development of the events and significant change of the realities and problems.

The former resolution was adopted in a different historical period and even in other world’s conditions and cold war context. Enormous changes have occurred, which are directly also related to the Armenian Question, I note only one of them; the existence of the independent Republic of Armenia.

During this time, the European Parliament and European Union have undergone a considerable transformation, which currently represents almost twice as much as member states than in 1987 and their role in the system of the international relations has been enormously changed,

The 100th anniversary itself made more important the reaffirming of the political message of the European Community on the Armenian Question, which was addressed to Turkey. It was also an opportunity to reassess and modernize the resolution of 1987, comply it with the current events, developments, concepts and perceptions.

- Which is the difference of actual text of those two resolutions or their political differences and emphases?

- The resolution of 1987 was among the first resolutions, which recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide and it was a quite serious document and an achievement. It was mostly a resolution on the Armenian Question, the Armenian minority in Turkey and Turkish state relations.

In those days, in all comments it is definitely evaluated, that the new resolution is not satisfied merely by the identification of historical truth or focus on the moral side and includes very clear political messages addressed to Turkey. It is highly important that despite the mentioned messages, the resolution is proposed jointly by the political parties of European Parliament.

The European Parliament, which represents 28 member states and a population of around 500 million, characterizes the actions perpetrated against the Armenians in Ottoman Empire as a Genocide corresponding to the provisions of the UN Convention, condemns the attempts of the denial of crimes against the humanity, pays tribute to the memory of one and a half million innocent victims, as well as by the European spirit of solidarity and justice joins the commemoration of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide and urges the European Commission and the European Council to follow its example.

It calls on Turkey to use the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, face with its history, recognize the Armenian Genocide and thereby pave the way for the real reconciliation of the Armenian and Turkish people.

It is noteworthy that the growth of number of the state member of EU and parliaments of other countries, which recognized the Armenian Genocide, is fixed in the resolution. It is emphasized the importance of preserving the memories of the past and highlighted, that it is not possible to achieve reconciliation without the truth and remembrance.

The new document as you see, has a completely different character and direction, reflects the current political realities and does not repeat a number of points of the 1987 resolution.

- Mr. Ambassador, it was said that it would be better, if the protocols weren’t mentioned. What would You say about this?

- It is no secret that the Turkish side, despite not ratifying them, tried to use the fact of protocols’ existence to prevent the adoption of resolutions, which recognize the Armenian Genocide. All by means, it required additional efforts from our diplomats and our community organizations for not allowing it. This document reflects on the protocols, but clearly urges Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The adoption of this resolution showed that even mentioning the protocols in the same resolution will not free Turkey from the imperative of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. And this is not just the perception of the Armenian side, but also the perception of the European Parliament.

- Mr. Ambassador, how do You imagine the further steps of Turkey?

- Turkey's current steps and reactions at the latest developments, to say the least, are not adequate. Turkey should either be able to resolve these issues by the way of bilateral civilized dialogue with Armenia and Armenians, or it will continue to encounter with our and international community’s ongoing and consistent pressure. There is no third option.

Turkey's current steps and reactions at latest developments, to say the least, are not adequate. Armenia’s Ambassador to EU

BRUSELLS, 20 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The issue of the Armenian Genocide has become a "litmus test" of democratization for Turkey, recognition and respect of human rights and Turkey's Europeanization way. The Head of Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union, Ambassador Tatoul Markarian stated this in an exclusive interview with “Armenpress”, which runs as follows:

- Recently, the European Union adopted a resolution on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. As the Head of Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union, what is Your opinion about the importance of the adoption of this resolution, taking into account that a similar resolution was adopted in 1987?

- You are absolutely right. In 1987 the European Parliament adopted a similar resolution. However, a number of factors make essential the circumstance of adoption of the Resolution. I will mention only a few of them.

It is a very long time in the international relations, especially in the current stage, which is characterized by the rapid development of the events and significant change of the realities and problems.

The former resolution was adopted in a different historical period and even in other world’s conditions and cold war context. Enormous changes have occurred, which are directly also related to the Armenian Question, I note only one of them; the existence of the independent Republic of Armenia.

During this time, the European Parliament and European Union have undergone a considerable transformation, which currently represents almost twice as much as member states than in 1987 and their role in the system of the international relations has been enormously changed,

The 100th anniversary itself made more important the reaffirming of the political message of the European Community on the Armenian Question, which was addressed to Turkey. It was also an opportunity to reassess and modernize the resolution of 1987, comply it with the current events, developments, concepts and perceptions.

- Which is the difference of actual text of those two resolutions or their political differences and emphases?

- The resolution of 1987 was among the first resolutions, which recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide and it was a quite serious document and an achievement. It was mostly a resolution on the Armenian Question, the Armenian minority in Turkey and Turkish state relations.

In those days, in all comments it is definitely evaluated, that the new resolution is not satisfied merely by the identification of historical truth or focus on the moral side and includes very clear political messages addressed to Turkey. It is highly important that despite the mentioned messages, the resolution is proposed jointly by the political parties of European Parliament.

The European Parliament, which represents 28 member states and a population of around 500 million, characterizes the actions perpetrated against the Armenians in Ottoman Empire as a Genocide corresponding to the provisions of the UN Convention, condemns the attempts of the denial of crimes against the humanity, pays tribute to the memory of one and a half million innocent victims, as well as by the European spirit of solidarity and justice joins the commemoration of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide and urges the European Commission and the European Council to follow its example.

It calls on Turkey to use the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, face with its history, recognize the Armenian Genocide and thereby pave the way for the real reconciliation of the Armenian and Turkish people.

It is noteworthy that the growth of number of the state member of EU and parliaments of other countries, which recognized the Armenian Genocide, is fixed in the resolution. It is emphasized the importance of preserving the memories of the past and highlighted, that it is not possible to achieve reconciliation without the truth and remembrance.

The new document as you see, has a completely different character and direction, reflects the current political realities and does not repeat a number of points of the 1987 resolution.

- Mr. Ambassador, it was said that it would be better, if the protocols weren’t mentioned. What would You say about this?

- It is no secret that the Turkish side, despite not ratifying them, tried to use the fact of protocols’ existence to prevent the adoption of resolutions, which recognize the Armenian Genocide. All by means, it required additional efforts from our diplomats and our community organizations for not allowing it. This document reflects on the protocols, but clearly urges Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The adoption of this resolution showed that even mentioning the protocols in the same resolution will not free Turkey from the imperative of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. And this is not just the perception of the Armenian side, but also the perception of the European Parliament.

- Mr. Ambassador, how do You imagine the further steps of Turkey?

- Turkey's current steps and reactions at the latest developments, to say the least, are not adequate. Turkey should either be able to resolve these issues by the way of bilateral civilized dialogue with Armenia and Armenians, or it will continue to encounter with our and international community’s ongoing and consistent pressure. There is no third option.

The issue of the Armenian Genocide has become a "litmus test" of democratization for Turkey, recognition and respect of human rights and Turkey's Europeanization way. And such profound and comprehensive reforms are initiated by the given country's government, or society, and/or the international community. In this case, the Turkish authorities, unfortunately, are not in the leading role.

And such profound and comprehensive reforms are initiated by the given country's government, or society, and/or the international community. In this case, the Turkish authorities, unfortunately, are not in the leading role.