CYPRUS PRESIDENT’S CALL TO TURKEY IS CALL FOR ACT OF CONSCIOUSNESS ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ISSUE: EXCLUSIVE

13:08, 23 April, 2015

YEREVAN, APRIL 23, ARMENPRESS. We call on all partners that have not
recognized the genocide to put values and principles beyond interests
and political expedience. The President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades,
who’ll visit Armenia on April 24, stated this in an exclusive interview
to “Armenpress”, while reflecting on the Armenian Genocides issue.

– Mr. President, as You know, 2015 is a symbolic year for Armenia and
the Armenian people. This year we’ll commemorate the 100th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide. You have already confirmed that You’ll
visit Yerevan and pay tribute to the memory of the victims in the
Tzitzernakaberd Memorial. What will be Your call in Tzitzernakaberd?

– My message to the Armenian people is a message of concrete
solidarity. This year marks the anniversary of a most tragic crime
against humanity, the Medz Yeghern, which has defined the history of
the Armenian people, a genocide of enormous proportions that shows
the abominable brutality of the Ottoman rule.

I cannot but refer to the fact that after the evacuation of Cilicia
100 years ago, Armenian refugee ships, crowded with people devastated
by the heinous and relentless persecution and famine, found a safe
haven in neighbouring Cyprus. Cypriots are proud of the fact that
the children and grand children of these refugees constitute today
a creative and important part of Cyprus society, preserving and
developing their worthy origins.

It is only natural that Cyprus and Armenia are united in condemning
the perpetrators of the genocide because of their common history
with Turkey. I should remind you that Cyprus was the first European
country to have recognised, the Armenian genocide (and the second
country worldwide), and recently has criminalised the public claim
of denial of the genocide, by Parliamentary decree. Cyprus was also
the first country to raise the issue to the UN General Assembly.

– Mr.President, in Your opinion, what is the lesson the Armenian
people and the international community should learn from this episode
of history – the Armenian Genocide?

– The lesson to be learned by the Armenian genocide, holds two parts;
a part of keeping alive the remembrance of the genocide by paying
tribute to the millions of lives lost a century ago and a part of
our obligation to make known “urbi et orbi” that impunity cannot
go unpunished.

The people of Armenia and Cyprus are victims of impunity. We also
share universal values and principles: Faith in international law,
peace, the independence and freedom of peoples and respect for human
rights. These characteristics stem from our interwoven history and the
struggles of our peoples who persevered for survival and prosperity.

– The genocides will go on as long as they are not recognized and
condemned. Unfortunately, the Armenian Genocide has not yet been
fully recognized. As a significant EU state, what is Cyprus’ call to
the EU member states and Turkey?

– Our call to the other countries and Turkey is a call for an act
of consciousness. We are satisfied with the fact that the European
Parliament has once again added its voice to ours by calling Turkey to
recognize the Armenian genocide as part of the pre-accession process
with Ankara.

It is our duty to not turn our back or act in defiance of the tragic
reality of a historical fact which overshadows the contemporary
history of Turkey. We call on all partners that have not recognized
the genocide to put values and principles beyond interests and
political expedience.

At the same time, we see no reason for Turkey being put off by actions
relating to the recognition of the Armenian genocide. On the contrary,
this would be an opportunity for Turkey to really prove that it can
redefine itself and its self acclaimed role as a regional player,
by acknowledging the value of full normalization of its relations
with Armenia and gain the backing of the international community
to this direction. The possibility of a proactive stance by Turkey
in respecting the principle of good neighborly relations would be
welcomed by Cyprus, as it could also be setting a precedent for the
normalization of relations with Cyprus.

– The 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide is not a borderline,
but a new destination. In this regard, how should we look at the
future and what will be our priorities in future?

– The future should reflect the resilience of the Armenian people
to survive and its commitment to honour the legacy of strength and
perseverance of the millions of its predecessors who were either lost
or managed to escape the frenzied wrath of the Ottoman rule.

This legacy constitutes a firm and most honourable basis for young
generation of Armenians. It constitutes the compass that should
guide not only them, but also the civilized world beyond, through
a challenging and changing international environment, bedeviled by
conflicts, economic crises, and political instability. Remembering
the Medz Yeghern, and honoring the herculean strength and resilience
of the Medz Yeghern survivors, who today make up the Armenian nation
and the prolific Armenian Diaspora, should be a duty of Humankind in
its entirety.

Interview by Hasmik Harutyunyan

From: Baghdasarian