Marios Garoyian called for the international recognition of the Armenian GenocideNovember 24, 2009 - 20:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The President of the Greek Cypriot House of Representatives called for the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide on Sunday, the Financial Mirror reported."I believe we have the duty to remember the Armenian Genocide and reaffirm our steadfast faith towards the struggle for international recognition of that terrible crime which marked the fate and the course of the Armenian people," said Marios Garoyian, speaking after Sunday mass at the Armenian Church of Nicosia. "We ask for justice," he added. "We demand the restoration of the historic truth, not its falsification.» The Parliament of Cyprus was the first in the EU to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide, in 1982. Garoyian pointed to recent attempt by Turkey to normalize relations with Armenia as another attempt by Turkey to deny justice to the Armenian people. He described agreements signed by Yerevan and Ankara as an "attempt of the Turkish government" to falsify history though so-called peace with Armenia. The Cypriot leader drew a connection with the struggle for the Armenian people's struggle for justice and the efforts by Cyprus to overcome nearly 3 decades of Turkish occupation of the northern half of the island. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the north, installing a government controlled by Ankara. "Justice and freedom is what we want for our common country, Cyprus, which for 35 years now suffers the consequences of the Turkish invasion and occupation," Garoyian said. "We want a just, functional and viable solution, that would restore the unity of Cyprus' territory, its people, its institutions and that would safeguard human rights for all its people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins and bring an end to the Turkish occupation of Cyprus, to Ankara's policy to illegally bring settlers to the island, to Turkish guarantees and intervention rights," he stressed. Garoyian said that the peace solution in Cyprus must be based on international law, UN values and decisions, human rights and the EU values and principles. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |