YEREVAN–The Armenian National Committee of Europe has been worked diligently–during the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) session–trying to retain the delegates’ positions regarding the Turkish recognition of the Armenian Genocide as well as Armenian-Turkish relations.
With regards to the report–scheduled on November 15–2001–concerning Turkey’s obligations for admission into the European Union–PACE adopted a resolution calling on Turkey to recognize the Genocide–to begin a dialogue with Armenia–as well as to stop the ongoing blockade of Armenia. However–Alain Lamasour (France–UDF/PPE) this year’s mediator–has circumvented the Armenian Genocide issue and changed the Armenian-Turkish dialogue provision when presenting his report on Turkey.
Within the upcoming days–PACE’s special committee on politics must once again discuss the report on Turkey and express a new opinion on the matter. In late October–PACE will also discuss the committee’s report regarding Turkey’s obligation to acknowledge the Genocide–and will come up with a new resolution.
The ANC of Europe–together with other European ANC chapters will continue their endeavor to hold their respective countries accountable for upholding the European Union’s resolution adopted in 1987 and re-authenticated in 2000 obligating the Turkish government to recognize the Genocide in order to be admitted into the European Union.
According to ANC Chairwoman Hilda Choboian–the ANC office in Europe is confident that all the Armenian organizations of Europe will work diligently in their efforts to make PACE maintain its correct position regarding the two most significant Armenian issues–the Turkish recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the Armenia-Turkey dialogue.