European Parliament again urges Turkey to recognize Armenian genocide
YEREVAN, June 8, /ARKA/. In a 2021 country report on Turkey adopted by the European Parliament on Tuesday by 448 votes in favor, 67 against and 107 abstentions, the European Parliament members warn that in spite of Turkey’s repeated statements that it aims to become an EU member, over the past two years the country has consistently gone back on its commitments in relation to the accession process.
The report commends the recent rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia with regard to the decision to start bilateral contacts, the appointment of special representatives and the resumption of flights between the two countries, considering this attempt a highly positive development which has a positive impact on prosperity and security in the region.
The EU Parliament encourages both sides to pursue these efforts with a view to fully normalizing their relations and calls for the EU to actively support this process. It encourages Turkey to pave the way for genuine reconciliation between the Turkish and Armenian peoples, including settling the dispute of the Armenian Genocide, and to fully respect its obligations to protect Armenian and other cultural heritage.
The report also expresses the hope that this may lead to a dynamic of normalization of relations in the South Caucasus. It encourages Turkey, once again, to recognize the Armenian Genocide referring to a European parliament resolution of 15 April 2015 on the centenary of the Armenian Genocide.
The report urges the Turkish authorities to step up their efforts to effectively address the plight of Armenians and other minorities in Turkey.
The European Parliament calls also on the European Union and member states to consider banning the "Grey Wolves" organization's activities in these countries.
The Armenian Genocide was the first genocide committed in the 20th by the government of Ottoman Turkey. Turkey rejects the accusation of massacres and the killing of one and a half million Armenians during World War I. The Armenian Genocide is recognized by many countries, particularly by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, the U.S., as well as by the parliaments of Greece, Cyprus, Argentina, Belgium, Wales, National Council of Switzerland, Common House of Canada, Poland and many other countries. --0--
