Armenian PM says regulation of regional relations important in Genocide commemoration message

YEREVAN, April 24. /ARKA/. In a message on the 108th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire in 1915-1923 Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan asks why this tragedy occurred and how to prevent its repetition. 

"The April 24 procession is perhaps the most influential occurrence predetermining our reality, an exceptional day to reflect on our history, past and future. What are young parents or grandparents with a lot of life experience thinking as they march to the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial, often holding the hands of young children? They probably think of two questions. Why did the Great Genocide happen and what should be done to prevent it from happening again? Hundreds and thousands of works have been written on the causes of the Armenian Genocide and many causes and motives have been revealed. As for the method of preventing the recurrence of such a crime, it largely depends on our understanding of the notions of "state" and "region," the Prime Minister says.

According to Pashinyan, "only a developed and sovereign state is able to ensure the existence and security of our people, and in the formation of the state, everyone has something to do with education, work, civic responsibility and the rule of law.

According to him, Armenia's strategic choice regarding the region is as follows: "do we have the will and ability to regulate and develop our regional relations, regardless or even more so when existing security threats around us are exacerbated for regional or extra-regional reasons?"

"Aware of all the difficulties and complexities, our government has decided to take the path of seeking a positive answer to this question, because this is the only way to guarantee security and well-being," Pashinyan stresses. --0--