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Hemicycle of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Photo: EPA/BGNES
The European Parliament (EP) adopted a resolution on Wednesday, which calls on Turkey to recognise the Armenian genocide.
The Parliament urged Armenia and Turkey to use the centenary of the Armenian genocide to renew diplomatic relations, open the border and improve their relations.
The MEPs advised the two countries to use examples of successful reconciliation between European nations.
The resolution calls on Turkey and Armenia to collaborate in areas such as cross-border cooperation and economic integration.
The EP also commended the recent statement of Pope Francis, who identified the massacre of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire a century ago as “”the first genocide of the 20th century”.
The MEPs welcomed statements by Turkish President Recep Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who expressed condolences and recognised the atrocities against Ottoman Armenians.
The Parliament called on Turkey to use the commemoration of the centenary of the Armenian genocide to open its archives, come to terms with its past and recognise the genocide.
The resolution proposed to Turkey to conduct an inventory of the Armenian cultural heritage, which was destroyed or ruined during the past century.
The MEPs paid tribute to the 1.5. million Armenians, who perished in the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1917.
The Parliament suggested the establishment of an International Remembrance Day for Genocides.
Although the Wednesday resolution largely repeats a similar text, which was adopted in 1987, it risks worsening relations with Turkey, which is an EU candidate country.
Turkish President Erdogan said before the vote on the resolution that he will ignore the text even if adopted.
Following the adoption of the resolution, the Turkish Foreign Ministry accused the European Parliament of attempting to rewrite history, EurActiv reports.
Turkey admits that Armenians were killed in clashes with the forces of the Ottoman Empire, which began on 15 April 1915, but denies that this constituted a genocide.
The recent statement of Pope Francis caused a diplomatic row as Turkey summoned the Vatican's ambassador and recalled its own.
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