Aram I criticizes Pashinyan’s stance on the Armenian Genocide

PanARMENIAN.Net - Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, Aram I, has stated that the planning and execution of the Armenian Genocide were carried out by the Ottoman Empire and should not be subject to debate.

Referring to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s remarks made during a meeting with the Armenian community in Switzerland, Aram I emphasized that the perpetrators of the genocide are clearly identified.

"Historians, genocide scholars, and Ottoman experts have confirmed, with concrete evidence, that the Armenian Genocide was planned and executed by the Ottoman Empire. Let us not forget the clear references to the genocide committed by Ottoman Turkey in both the Declaration of Armenia’s Independence and the Pan-Armenian Declaration on the Genocide Centennial," Aram I stated.

Responding to Pashinyan’s remarks, the Catholicos warned that such an approach "plays into the enemy’s hands."

"The proposal to hand over the study of the Armenian Genocide to historians originates from Turkey. The fact that the genocide was committed by Ottoman Turkey is not subject to debate—numerous states and parliaments have affirmed this. We must be cautious. We live in perilous times, and current geopolitical conditions are not in our favor," Aram I noted.

He stressed that under present circumstances, it is crucial to consolidate national efforts and unite Armenia and the Diaspora under a common agenda.

On January 24, during a meeting with the Armenian community in Zurich, Pashinyan stated that it was still necessary to understand what happened and why regarding the Armenian Genocide. The Swiss Council of Armenian and Pro-Armenian Organizations (CAAS) has called on Pashinyan to clarify his statements made in Zurich on January 24.