Cyprus’ Armenian community has expressed optimism that the Armenian Genocide will get international recognition very soon, its representative Vartkes Mahdessian, said at the Cyprus Parliament on Thursday, reports.
Addressing Parliament, and referring to the 101 years since the Armenian Genocide took place, Mahdessian stated that thus far 29 countries have recognised it, eight coming in 2015.
According to Mahdessian, 2015 was a pivotal year for Armenians, since new dynamics were created to raise awareness among public opinion.
In addition five countries have criminalised the denial of recognition of the Armenian Genocide, opening new paths for Armenians, outlined Mahdessian.
The Armenian community’s representative underlined the fact that Cyprus was the first European country, and second in the world, to recognise the Armenian Genocide by a Parliament resolution and also passed a law criminalising its denial.
Mahdessian closed by saying that Armenians “stand by the Cypriots` side and show solidarity in their efforts to reunite the island,” divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.