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In the framework of the Armenian Genocide Centennial a Global Forum titled Against the Crime of Genocide was held in Yerevan on 22 – 23 April. 

The forum featured over 600 participants from more than 50 countries, among them scholars, experts, high-ranking officials, parliamentarians, clerics and others who discussed various aspects of genocide. Nvard Chalikyan from Panorama.am has conducted a series of interviews with the international guests.

Below we present to your attention interview with Vice-President of the European Parliament Ryszard Czarnecki.  

Mr. Ryszard Czarnecki believes the forum was a good political move towards improving the international image of Armenia. He hopes this forum will be a breaking point in the long struggle against the crime of genocide, as it has the potential to serve as a historical step in this direction.

Commenting on the latest resolution on the Armenian Genocide adopted by the European Parliament the EP Vice-President noted that this resolution is more favourable for Armenia than the previous two EP resolutions on this issue, particularly because this one poses political demands to Turkey and urges to open the archives.  

Czarnecky also said that this resolution creates a good atmosphere for similar decisions by national parliaments. In this regard he considers the resolution recently passed by the Austrian Parliament and the visit of Germany’s President during the Genocide commemoration in Berlin on 24 April very important. Speaking about Germany’s official position till now, which has been silence (because Germany and Austria were the allies of Turkey during the Genocide), he emphasised that in this matter “silence means support”. 

Mr. Czarnecky believes that after the adoption of this EP resolution now it is a good time for taking further political steps in terms of facilitating for instance the economic cooperation between Yerevan and Brussels.

Interview by Nvard Chalikyan