European Parliament Adopts Resolution Urging Turkey to Recognize Armenian Genocide

BRUSSELS — The European Parliament on April 15 overwhelmingly passed a Resolution on the Armenian Genocide centennial.

The resolution, supported by all main political groups, says the European Parliament “joins the commemoration of the centenary of the Armenian Genocide in a spirit of European solidarity and justice.”

It also says Ankara should open its archives and “come to terms with its past, to recognize the Armenian genocide,” and pave the way for a genuine reconciliation between Turkish and Armenian peoples. It also urges Turkey to “normalize relations with Armenia”.

The Resolution also commended the statement by Pope Francis on 12 April honoring the centenary of the genocide

Turkey was quick to dismiss the resolution even before the vote, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying on April 15 that “whatever decision the European Parliament takes on Armenian genocide claims, it would go in one ear and out the other.”

Erdogan said it was “out of the question for there to be a stain, a shadow called ‘genocide’ on Turkey.”