By Emil Danielyan
Official Yerevan on Wednesday welcomed the European Parliament’s decision last week to reaffirm its recognition of the Armenian Genocide and urge Turkey to lift the blockade of Armenia.
The call was part of a February 28 resolution on the European Union’s policy on the South Caucasus.
“Of course, we commend the EU for reiterating its position regarding the Genocide of 1915,” Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said in a statement. “However, we welcome the fact that this document goes well beyond Genocide recognition.”
The resolution drew, predictably, a sharp reaction from Ankara. A joint statement issued by the six political parties represented in the Turkish parliament immediately after the vote denounced the resolution as a “conscious denial of historical fact and acceptance of baseless Armenian claims.”
Oskanian also hailed the resolution’s call for the EU's "increased engagement" in the South Caucasus.
“This is a serious political document providing a clear framework for EU-Caucasus cooperation,” he said. The resolution amounts to “acknowledgement of Armenia’s European orientation and commitment to the European direction,” he added.
Official Yerevan on Wednesday welcomed the European Parliament’s decision last week to reaffirm its recognition of the Armenian Genocide and urge Turkey to lift the blockade of Armenia.
The call was part of a February 28 resolution on the European Union’s policy on the South Caucasus.
“Of course, we commend the EU for reiterating its position regarding the Genocide of 1915,” Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said in a statement. “However, we welcome the fact that this document goes well beyond Genocide recognition.”
The resolution drew, predictably, a sharp reaction from Ankara. A joint statement issued by the six political parties represented in the Turkish parliament immediately after the vote denounced the resolution as a “conscious denial of historical fact and acceptance of baseless Armenian claims.”
Oskanian also hailed the resolution’s call for the EU's "increased engagement" in the South Caucasus.
“This is a serious political document providing a clear framework for EU-Caucasus cooperation,” he said. The resolution amounts to “acknowledgement of Armenia’s European orientation and commitment to the European direction,” he added.