Serzh Sargsyan: Genocide recognition is an all-national task

PanARMENIAN.Net - International recognition of Armenian Genocide cannot be removed from our agenda, President Serzh Sargsyan told an "Armenian Reporter" correspondent. "Supporting the international recognition of the Genocide is part of our National Security Strategy. How can any Armenian renounce his or her past, or the desire to see the victory of justice? The recognition of the Genocide is not exclusively our issue, as Armenians. It is an issue for all humanity," Serzh Sargsyan said.



The overarching goal, according to him, was to see the Turkish people and Turkey follow the lead of numerous civilized countries and recognize the fact of Genocide. "The issue is not limited to Armenian-Turkish repprochement; I repeat, there is the current generation of Turks, who must come to terms with their own history. I think our present initiative is opening doors for this internal discussion, this internal reconciliation," Mr. Sargsyan noted.



Touching on prospects of creating Armenian-Turkish historical sub-commission, President said that the body was expected to generate a dialogue on history, in order to increase mutual trust. "This is a long-term process, which encompasses a broad range of issues: such Armenian heritage in Turkey, need to restore and preserve that heritage, as well as issues of heirs of Genocide victims. It is not possible to establish relations with a country without having dialogue about issues of mutual interest. And historical research should scare only those who falsify history. The agenda of the commission and its sub-commissions will be set by both sides - Armenia and Turkey. Those who are concerned should realize that the representatives of the Armenian government will never allow issues to be formulated in a way that could be insulting to the Armenian people."



"I am confident", President further said, "that all the countries which have not yet recognized Armenian Genocide will do so sooner or later. Our biggest advantage in this matter should be renowned Genocide studies experts and lawyers' assessments and the inclusion of the issue in the many countries' school curricula," RA President said.