FAON News

Federation of Armenian Organizations in The Netherlands (FAON)
April 24 Committee For Recognition and Commemoration of the Armenian
Genocide of 1915
Address: Weesperstraat 91 – 2574 VS Den Haag
Tel. 070 4490209
Contact: M. Hakhverdian
Website:
E-mail: april24committee@wanadoo.nl
K.v.K. 27

A report by I. Drost of the meeting of Standing Committee on European
and Foreign Affairs of the Dutch parliament with the minister of
Foreign Affairs Mr. Ben Bot on the meeting of European Foreign
Ministers beginning of September, where the EU negotiation framework
with Turkey will be discussed. At this meeting Mr. Bot declared that
the negotiation framework for Turkey includes Armenian Genocide
issue.

Bot: Negotiation Framework for Turkey includes Armenian genocide

The Hague, 1 September 2005 – Yesterday, in a Parliament meeting,
Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot assured the members of parliament that
the matter of the Armenian genocide is already a part of the
framework for negotiations with Turkey.

Mr. Bot said so in reaction to the urgent request of several factions
to adopt the recognition of the Armenian genocide in the negotiation
framework. In this context he referred to the commitment of good
neighbourly relations and undertaking to resolve any outstanding
border disputes in a peaceful settlement, as mentioned in the draft
negotiation framework.

On Chritian Union MP Rouvoet’s explicit question if he understood
correctly that facing the own history and in particular the Armenian
Genocide are also meant in this wording, Mr. Bot answered in the
affirmative. He also confirmed that this is the European approach of
this matter and that Turkey is very much aware of this requirement.

Mr Bot did not expect any problems, like we have now with Cyprus, as
a result of the implicit wording, because it is the standing approach
within EU and EU itself is master of the ratification process.
Finally, the Minister gave the guarantee that he himself will always
be committed to these statements.