The recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide is a universal issue of humanity, Armenia’s Acting Foreign Minister Ara Aivazyan said in an interview with BBC Weekend, calling on Turkey to face its own history.

Aivazyan said President Joe Biden’s statement on April 24 makes a significant contribution to the global effort to garner recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the prevention of genocides. “Today, the US authorities have unequivocally reiterated their commitment to human rights and the principles of humanity,” Aivazyan said.

“As 106 years ago, today the Armenian people are fighting for historical justice, for a safe and dignified life in their historical homeland. We welcome the statement of President Biden by which the US clearly defines the mass atrocities committed against the Armenian people in the 20th century as genocide,” Aivazyan said, reminding that resolutions recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide were adopted by the US House of Representatives and Senate in 2019.

Commenting on the possible impact of Biden’s statement on Armenia’s relations with Turkey, the Acting Foreign Minister said: “As far as relations with Turkey are concerned, Turkey has been pursuing hostile and aggressive policy toward Armenia since the restoration of independence back in 1991. Turkey rejected the establishment of diplomatic relations, it closed border with Armenia and pursued increasingly hostile policy against Armenia. Moreover, Turkey directly got involved in the Azerbaijani aggression against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh by dispatching thousands of foreign terrorist fighters to our region.”

“We do hope that this very important statement by the U.S. President will pave the way for dialogue and eventually to the normalization of relations. It will also contribute to the regional peace and stability,” added Aivazyan.

“I believe this creates grounds for Turkish society to face the pages of their history. And also it induces the society to question the tragic pages of their history. I believe it will also create grounds for dialogue between two neighboring countries. A schism was created between two neighboring countries and I believe this will be a very important step for normalization of our relations,” he concluded.