GENOCIDE WAS LOSS NOT ONLY FOR ARMENIANS – EUROPEAN OFFICIAL

13:35 * 22.04.15

The Council of Europe’s secretary general expressed his deep sorrow
for the tragedy of the Armenian Genocide committed 100 years ago,
considering the condemnable crime a loss not only for Armenia but
also the entire world.

“I am sad, I am thinking about those people who lost their lives
during that tragedy. I am excited to be here. I am from Fridtjof
Nansen’s country, and I am even more excited in this connection,”
Thorbjørn Jagland said at the International Social and Political
Global Forum against the Crime of Genocide.

He called for active efforts by the international community towards
reaffirming the responsibility in the campaign against the violation of
human rights. He said world countries’ efforts towards the prevention
of genocides and the international community’s support to the process
should be based upon the core principles and values of the United
Nations.

Commenting upon the developments in Syria, the European official
said it is incredible for them to see that such a violence is still
possible in a country in the 21st century.

He said that the Council attaches a high values to Armenia’s support in
the global anti-xenophobia campaign, especially in the fight against
racism. Mr Thorbjørn said he sees that the Armenian people do exactly
what people in the other countries expect.

Describing Armenia as a state inspiring great hope, the European
official noted that the nation managed to turn its suffering into
something powerful which the world eye-witnessed over the past week.