Russia can not pay no attention to centenary of Armenian genocide, ambassador

YEREVAN, March 23. / ARKA /. Russia is Armenia's strategic ally, and therefore, it can not pay no attention to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which Armenians around the world are going to mark on April 24, Russian ambassador to Armenia, Ivan Volynkin, said in an interview with Sputnik-Armenia radio-station.

He said the centenary of the first genocide of the 20th century will bring many visitors to Armenia, including heads of states and high level government officials, including  Russian parliament and Senate members as well as president Vladimir Putin, ‘whose visit to Armenia  will  raise the level of the event. "

Asked whether Putin’s visit to Armenia to remember the victims of the genocide may affect Russian-Turkish relations Volynkin said Russia has common interests with Turkey, which are ‘of pragmatic nature’.

"Our relations with Turkey are pragmatic, and Russian participation in the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide should not affect our relations with Turkey," said Volynkin.

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