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YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS. Czech military journalist, MEP, a member of the EU-Armenia and the EU-Azerbaijan parliamentary cooperation, as well as a member of the delegation of the “EuroNest” Parliamentary Assembly Jaromír Štětina considers positive the statement by Czech President Milos Zeman calling the Czech Parliament and Government to follow Germany’s example.
“The President’s voice is, of course, influential. I completely support his step since the Czech Parliament has not recognized the Armenian Genocide yet. It is the shame of our history”, he said during an interview with “Armenpress”.
He said after President Zeman’s statement, there are great chances that the Czech Parliament will eventually recognize the Armenian Genocide. “Of course, there are prospects that, in fact, one of the strongest parties the Social-Democratic party, as I know, is going to recognize the Genocide. I think that it plays a key role, and the Armenian diplomacy should conduct steps to negotiate with the MPs of that party. Both the Armenian diplomacy, and the Diaspora must take steps in the whole Europe since, in fact, one of the influential country’s Germany’s decision can have a domino effect”, he said.
Referring to the Czech-Turkish relations and Turkey’s further steps, the MP said: “I think that the relations of the two states are based on being NATO partners, however, I don’t want to tie this with the Genocide issue. In fact, Turkey’s economic relations with Europe, in particular with Germany will become stronger, rather than Turkey’s criticism towards Germany over the Genocide issue. Moreover, Turkey is the chief economic partner of Europe, it may perhaps complain, threaten, but I don’t think there will be any serious further consequences”, Jaromír Štětina said.
He said he is not surprised by Azerbaijan’s stance over this issue. “Azerbaijanis are the same Turks, just simply the one is called Turk, and the other Azeri”, the MP stated.
On June 2 the German Bundestag adopted the Armenian Genocide recognition resolution, which is entitled "Remembrance and commemoration of the genocide of Armenians and other Christian minorities in 1915 and 1916".
Only one MP voted against the adoption, and one abstained.
On June 8 Czech President Milos Zeman, while on an official visit to Armenia, announced that he will urge the Czech Government and Parliament to follow Germany’s example and officially recognize the Armenian Genocide committed by Turks.