YEREVAN. – Turkey has to face its own memory just as Germany did, French Minister of State for European Affairs Harlem Desir told reporters in Yerevan during his visit to the Armenian Genocide Memorial on Friday (PHOTO).  

Desir laid flowers at the Eternal Flame and visited Armenian Genocide Institute Museum.

“I am impressed by everything I saw here. The museum houses a collection of archive documents reflecting the lifestyle, property and values of the Armenian people in the region that have been created over the centuries on the one hand, and  the murders which began in the 19th century, and then Genocide organized by Young Turks on the other,” he said.

The Minister believes that to some extent the events were result of indifference of the international community.

“Despite reports of many diplomats and intellectuals, the world allowed genocide. It was the first genocide of the 20th century organized by an entire state with the involvement of the administration and army, with the ideology to exterminate an entire nation and its culture, all without exception: children, women, everyone. Humanity failed to draw lessons,” Desir said.

It is very important to preserve memory, and the museum of the Armenian Genocide has to be declared a place of universal significance.

“It is necessary to continue struggle for recognition of the Armenian Genocide in all countries, including in Turkey of course,” he said.

He recalled that in 2001 France recognized the Armenian Genocide and will continue to speak for  international recognition.