Armenian minister hopes European countries to recognize genocide in 2005

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
22 Dec 04

[Presenter] The Armenian foreign minister believes that the fundamental
decision adopted by the Council of Europe will pave the way for the
recognition of the Armenian genocide by the parliaments of the EU
member states. Vardan Oskanyan said he is confident that 2005 will
see progress in the recognition of the Armenian genocide by some
countries and in the demands that Turkey lift its blockade of Armenia.

[Oskanyan] The Council of Europe’s decision is in our hands now. The
decision seriously demands that Turkey recognize the Armenian genocide
and open its borders with Armenia. I think these two demands will
be high on the agenda when Turkey starts its EU membership talks
on 3 October. I am sure of this, because these conditions have been
determined beforehand. This serious decision by the Council of Europe
has already yielded its first results. The Netherlands recognized
the Armenian genocide after long negotiations yesterday.

The EU members are also members of the Council of Europe. And the
Council of Europe has recognized the Armenian genocide on behalf of
all its members and has urged Turkey to do so. And this, I think,
will pave the way for the parliaments of those countries to speed
up the recognition of the Armenian genocide. We achieved the first
positive result yesterday.