'We must build a future free of genocides' - Serzh Sargsyan
17:45 * 10.04.15
Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian speaks at a dinner meeting with
Italian members of parliament. April 9, 2015. (Photo: official
publication)
During his official visit to Italy, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
participated in a supper party with Italian MPs on Thursday evening.
I his speech at the supper party, Armenia's leader particularly said:
"Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
"The year 2015 is a special year for Armenians because it sees the
100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire - the
first genocide in the 20th century. It was the first, but,
unfortunately, not the last. In several days, the Armenians throughout
the world will loudly say 'no' to all the genocides, and bells will be
rung in churches from Argentine to Italy, from the United States to
Armenia. And especially loud will be the bells of sister-churches. We
cannot change the past, but we must build a future free of genocides.
It is our duty to the victims and survivors.
"The current developments in the Middle East are the result of
permissiveness and impunity. As a representative of a people that has
for 100 years been struggling against recurrence of genocides I can
assure you that such crimes are not the result of discrimination
between Christians and Muslims, Jews or Germans, Armenians and Turks.
Rather, it is the result of discrimination between those accepting and
rejecting fundamental common values. Italy has joined this struggle -
its Chamber of Deputies recognized the Armenian Genocide.
"We highly appreciate the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by
individual cities and regions. I am sure that the criminalization of
denial of the Armenian Genocide by the Parliament of Italy will
produce results. Armenia is known to have been declared Rome's ally
before Common Era. Italy gave refuse to Armenians after the Armenian
Genocide. The relations between our countries entered a new stage
after declaration of Armenia's independence.
"At present we have cooperation programs in different areas, and Italy
is our second largest trade partner among the EU member-states.
Inter-parliamentary contacts are an all-important elements of our
cooperation. My sincere desire is that Italian MPs continue an active
dialogue with their counterparts in Armenia and Artsakh.
"More and more MPs from EU member-states - France, Germany,
Switzerland, Great Britain - are visiting Artsakh. They can make sure
of full-fledged democratic and government institutions of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Taking the opportunity, I would like to
express my gratitude to the Italian government for its impartial
position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict."
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2015/04/10/italipresident/1642570
17:45 * 10.04.15
Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian speaks at a dinner meeting with
Italian members of parliament. April 9, 2015. (Photo: official
publication)
During his official visit to Italy, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
participated in a supper party with Italian MPs on Thursday evening.
I his speech at the supper party, Armenia's leader particularly said:
"Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
"The year 2015 is a special year for Armenians because it sees the
100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire - the
first genocide in the 20th century. It was the first, but,
unfortunately, not the last. In several days, the Armenians throughout
the world will loudly say 'no' to all the genocides, and bells will be
rung in churches from Argentine to Italy, from the United States to
Armenia. And especially loud will be the bells of sister-churches. We
cannot change the past, but we must build a future free of genocides.
It is our duty to the victims and survivors.
"The current developments in the Middle East are the result of
permissiveness and impunity. As a representative of a people that has
for 100 years been struggling against recurrence of genocides I can
assure you that such crimes are not the result of discrimination
between Christians and Muslims, Jews or Germans, Armenians and Turks.
Rather, it is the result of discrimination between those accepting and
rejecting fundamental common values. Italy has joined this struggle -
its Chamber of Deputies recognized the Armenian Genocide.
"We highly appreciate the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by
individual cities and regions. I am sure that the criminalization of
denial of the Armenian Genocide by the Parliament of Italy will
produce results. Armenia is known to have been declared Rome's ally
before Common Era. Italy gave refuse to Armenians after the Armenian
Genocide. The relations between our countries entered a new stage
after declaration of Armenia's independence.
"At present we have cooperation programs in different areas, and Italy
is our second largest trade partner among the EU member-states.
Inter-parliamentary contacts are an all-important elements of our
cooperation. My sincere desire is that Italian MPs continue an active
dialogue with their counterparts in Armenia and Artsakh.
"More and more MPs from EU member-states - France, Germany,
Switzerland, Great Britain - are visiting Artsakh. They can make sure
of full-fledged democratic and government institutions of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Taking the opportunity, I would like to
express my gratitude to the Italian government for its impartial
position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict."
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2015/04/10/italipresident/1642570