March 1, 2002 - 21:12 AMT
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CONDEMNED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN OTTOMAN TURKEY IN 1915
The fifteen European Union member countries confirmed that Turkey followed a genocidal policy directed against the Armenian population early last century. The deputies of the European Parliament voted for the resolution passed earlier condemning the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915. 391 voted for it, 96 - against and 15 abstained in the vote. The resolution new version contains a call on Turkey to lift the blockade against Armenia as well as to undertake other actual moves for joining the European Union. The European parliamentarians also appealed to EU executive structures to develop the long-term strategy of cooperation with the South Caucasus countries. E.g. it is suggested to appoint a special envoy to the region and open European Commission missions in Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is also proposed to hold a conference to discuss the investment opportunities of the South Caucasian states. Besides, the resolution contains a call on Nagorno Karabakh authorities to join the process of peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict constructively.