Armenian president urges Israel to recognize Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire
YEREVAN. Jan 23 (Interfax) - Armenian President Armen Sarkissian has called on Israel to recognize the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire in 1915.
"Recognition of the Armenian Genocide is chiefly a moral responsibility and a tribute to the memory of innocent victims. At the same time, this would be an important contribution to international efforts toward preventing genocide and crimes against humanity," Sarkissian said at a meeting with Israeli Knesset Speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein.
Sarkissian also insisted that recognition of the Armenian Genocide should not be driven by political interests and realities and that the parties should look toward the future.
"We can create the future together. Armenia is a small country but a global nation, just like Israel. I'm also here to outline areas of cooperation between us," he said.
Sarkissian is on a working visit to Israel and is set to take part in the Fifth World Holocaust Forum, as well as the unveiling of the Armenian embassy.