Armenia welcomes EU parliament report on Turkey

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia welcomes the calls made by the European Parliament in its annual report on Turkey, particularly, those to recognize the Armenian Genocide and to refrain from anti-Armenian propaganda, the Head of the Armenian Mission to the EU, Ambassador Anna Aghadjanian said in a statement on Saturday, May 22.

"We urge Turkey to respect these calls, including refraining from any action or rhetoric that may escalate the tension in the South Caucasus, defending the rights of ethnic and religious minorities living in Turkey, including citizens of Armenian descent and Christians, as well as urgently putting in place comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation," Aghadjanian said.

"The resolution of the European Parliament strongly condemns the transfer of the militants and mercenaries from the jihadist groups in the Northern Syria to Lybia and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone."

Aghadjanian also cited the European Parliament's call for the EU and EU member states to examine the possibility of adding the extremist movement “Gray Wolves” in the EU list of terrorist organizations and to ban the activities of its associations in the EU countries.

"The EU and its member states are urged to closely monitor their activities and to counter their influence, which is especially threatening for people with a Kurdish, Armenian or Greek background and anyone they consider an opponent," the ambassador added.

In a recently approved resolution, the European Parliament encouraged Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide. MEPs said the recognition would pave the way for a genuine reconciliation between the Turkish and Armenian peoples. Lawmakers also said the European Commission should recommend that the accession negotiations with Turkey be formally suspended.