YEREVAN (Armenpress/PanArmenian)–Members of the Czech Senate committee on foreign and defense issues said during an official visit to Armenia Monday that they hope the Senate will adopt a resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide.
At a meeting with members of an Armenian Parliament committee on foreign affairs–Jaromir Stetina–who organized a conference on the Genocide in the Czech Senate two months ago–said he hoped the Senate would pass a resolution recognizing Armenian genocide this Fall.
During the meeting–Parliament Members also discussed strengthening relations between the two countries–legal and cultural cooperation–and Turkey’s bid to join the European Union.
Armen Rustamian–chairman of the Armenian Parliament committee–said the European Union is not only a geopolitical space but also a system of values. He said that in order to join the European family–Turkey should share European values including recognition of the Armenian genocide.
"Until Turkey recognizes the Armenian genocide there will be no guarantee the crime will not be repeated," Rustamian remarked.
The Czech Parliamentarians agreed with him–noting that the EU-Turkey talks could last between 10 and 15 years during which Turkey’s domestic and foreign policy should be brought up to European standards.