Russian Duma vice-speaker: Azeris must recognize Armenian GenocideDecember 15, 2015 - 19:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - 2015 marks the centennial of tragic events that took place in the Ottoman Empire, vice-speaker of the lower house of the Russian parliament, co-author of the bill criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide told Haqqin.az. “I’d like to cite the Pope, who said that the Armenian massacres constituted the first genocide of the 20th century,” Nikolai Levichev said. “Throughout the year, various events were held to mark the centennial of the tragedy. Russian and French Presidents Vladimir Putin and Francois Hollande visited Yerevan in April to participate in the commemoration ceremonies. In the same month, the Russian parliamentary delegation led by myself took part in the global forum Against the Crime of Genocide,” the MP stated. Levichev reminded that Just Russia party held an international conference titled “Genocide in the historical memory of the peoples and in information wars of modern times.” Also, the European Parliament adopted on April 15 an Armenian Genocide resolution, calling on Turkey to acknowledge the crime. “Our initiative of outlawing the Genocide denial, therefore, serves as a logical conclusion of 2015,” Levichev noted. In response to a remark suggesting that Turkic peoples of the Russian Federation don’t recognize the Genocide either, Levichev said: “For the first time I hear that Bashkortostan and Tatarstan do not recognize the Genocide. Moreover, the Russian State Duma adopted a decision in 1995 to recognize the Armenian Genocide. “Azeris who happen to be Russian citizens have to live by Russia’s laws. If this bill is adopted, it is binding on all Russian citizens, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation. Besides, Azerbaijani citizens, traveling to Russia to work or study, will also be obliged to adhere to the laws of the host country and recognize the Armenian Genocide,” Levichev stated. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |