YEREVAN (ARF Press Service)–The European Parliament began discussions Tuesday in Strasbourg–France–on a special report about Turkey prepared by Christian-Democratic party member General Morion–who detailed steps taken by Turkey–during the past year–to facilitate its pending membership in the European Union.
The discussions of the report are aimed at pinpointing how well Turkey is adhering to conditions presented as a prerequisites for Turkey’s membership in the Union.
The Armenian National Committee of Europe is spearheading efforts to include Turkey’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide as a precondition to Turkey’s membership in the European Union. The ANC of Europe is using a 1987 resolution approved by the European Parliament as a basis for its lobbying efforts. The said resolution pre-conditioned Turkey’s membership in the European Union with its recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Morion–who is opposed to the Armenian Genocide recognition issue–attempted to derail Armenian efforts on this matter. Several weeks ago–the Foreign Relations committee of the European Parliament defeated a measure that would have included the Genocide recognition provision in the report.
The Armenian efforts paid off–since the matter has been included on the agenda of the entire Europarliament.
In deliberations Tuesday–Gen. Morion–once again–spoke against the measure–saying that while he did not call into question the validity of the Armenian Genocide–nevertheless he believed that the inclusion of the Genocide would not benefit issues of regional stability. Furthermore–Morion argued that the Genocide inclusion would–in fact–deter the peace processes in the region.
A vote was expected on the matter Wednesday.
ANC of Europe representative Hilda Choboyan explained that it would be important to incorporate the Armenian Genocide recognition issue within Gen. Morion’s report–not simply to please the Armenia’s of Europe–but also for the future interests of the European Union.
"The Armenia’s of Europe expect the European Parliament to be principled on the matter of the Armenian Genocide recognition," said Choboyan–adding that Europe would be demanding from Turkey–what European parliament has included within its 1987 resolution.
Hundreds of Armenia’s from all over Europe gathered in Strasbourg Tuesday to protest Turkey’s membership in the European Union.