Europe should move ahead and build future, but doing this is impossible with burying the past. In this context one cannot forget tragic the events of 1915 in Ottoman Empire, said the head of European regional mission Jean-Paul Vahle, opening the 23rd European regional session of Parliamentary Assembly of Francophonie held in Yerevan.

“Albert Camus said that each one should do his bit into the development of his county remembering and not burying in oblivion the past,” he noted. Parliamentarian recalled the names of renowned Armenians artists like Arshile Gorky, Charles Aznavour, Edward Balagour and Henri Verneuil. “I am not comfortable seeing the film with tragic fate of great artist Arshile Gorky telling details about Armenian Genocide,” he added.

He also noted that Armenian and Turkish people should overcome difficulties and establish relations despite the severe historical scars.

Tuesday morning, session attendees laid flowers to the memorial of terrorist attack victims in RA Parliament on October 27, 1999. The guests also plan to visit Genocide museum and lay a wreath to Genocide memorial. The participants will also visit Etchmiadzin, ancient Armenian churches as well as pagan temple of Garni.

A.G.