YEREVAN. – Yesterday a very important and historic event took place. The US Senate unanimously recognized the Armenian Genocide, adopted a resolution recognizing and condemning the Genocide. And I want to say words of appreciation on behalf of the Armenian people to all members of the US Senate, and I also want to say words of appreciation to the House of Representatives members, and I would like to say a word of appreciation to the Armenians of America, all the organizations, individuals who have contributed to this important and historic decision, and, in general, to congratulate the Armenian people on this historic victory of truth, which opens a new chapter in international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and brings the process to a new level. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this today.
"We have repeatedly stated that the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide is important to us not only in terms of recording historical truth, but also as an important component of the global genocide prevention movement," he noted.
The Armenian Prime Minister stressed that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide also has a security component for Armenians. “Not the genocide of 1915, but Turkey's denial policy forces us to state that (…) that policy is a threat to Armenia and the Armenian people. (...). And I think that, overall, the decisions made by the United States and a number of other countries also record Turkey's destructive and aggressive policy in our region. (…). And Turkey is blockading Armenia (…). In this respect, the international community must also take a clear position on Turkey's actions [in the region] (...). "
According to the Prime Minister, the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is first of all necessary for Turkey. "We are ready to establish relations with Turkey without preconditions," he said. "And, moreover, we have said that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is not on our agenda for relations with Turkey. Recognition of the Armenian Genocide is first of all necessary for Turkey (...) for Turkey to reconsider its role in our region."
Nikol Pashinyan added that the dignity of the victims of the Armenian Genocide needs to be protected. "The Turkish president’s indecent and cynical statements this year against the victims of the Armenian Genocide came [to prove] that there is a need for such protection," he said.
On December 12, the US Senate unanimously adopted Resolution 150 recognizing and condemning Armenian Genocide. Earlier, such a resolution was passed also by the US House of Representatives.
