French president reconfirms his intention to attend centenary of Armenian genocide in Yerevan
29.01.2015,
18:41
French President Francois Hollande reconfirmed his intention to visit Armenia to attend a remembrance ceremony for the centenary of the Armenian genocide to be held in Yerevan on April 24.
YEREVAN, January 29. / ARKA /. French President Francois Hollande reconfirmed his intention to visit Armenia to attend a remembrance ceremony for the centenary of the Armenian genocide to be held in Yerevan on April 24.
Hollande made the statement on January 28 during an event organized by the Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations in France (CCAF), marking the start of activities in that country dedicated to the centenary of the Armenian Genocide.
Referring to the 1915 genocide, Holland said: "The effort towards the truth must continue and I am convinced that this centenary year will see new gestures, new steps on the road to recognition."
Hollande praised also the role of French Armenians in the development of the country.
"Today, when our country has become the target of barbarism, intolerance, hatred and terrorism, you, the Armenians of France, give us all an example of dignity, which is the subject of our common pride," he was quoted as saying by the Armenian ministry of foreign affairs.
On the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process the French president said his country will continue its efforts for a peaceful settlement of the conflict.
The Armenian Genocide was the first genocide of the twentieth century. According to Armenian and many other historians, up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed starting in 1915 in a systematic campaign by the government of Turkey. Turkey has been denying it for decades.
The Armenian genocide was recognized by tens of countries. The first was Uruguay that did so in 1965. Other nations are Russia, France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Canada, Venezuela, Argentina, 42 U.S. states.
It was recognized also by the Vatican, the European Parliament, the World Council of Churches and other international organizations. -0-
