YEREVAN. – The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, has issued a statement with respect to the Belgian Chamber of Representatives’ passing a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide.   

“Seventeen years ago the Belgian Senate recognized the Armenian Genocide by a special resolution. On June 18 this year the Prime Minister of Belgium reaffirmed the position of the Government on the unconditional recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

“The resolution recognising the Armenian Genocide adopted today by the Chamber of Representatives completes the process of recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Belgium.

“The unconditional recognition of the Armenian Genocide by legislative and executive authorities of the Kingdom of Belgium is commendable,” reads the statement by FM Nalbandian.

As reported earlier, an Armenian Genocide resolution was adopted by a voting Thursday at the plenary session of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium.    

The motion passed by a vote of 124 for, none against, and 8 abstentions.

The Chamber of Representatives, which is considered to be the “lower house” of the Federal Parliament of Belgium, had held heated discussions in the last few days regarding this resolution, and the MPs had pointed to the need to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

The Senate, which is the “upper house” of the country’s parliament, already has recognized the Armenian Genocide by passing a respective resolution in 1998.