Baku urges Israel to reconsider Genocide recognition

PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijan is "seriously concerned" by the Israeli government's recognition of the Armenian Genocide, according to a statement by the country's Foreign Ministry.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry called on Israel to reconsider its decision on recognizing the Armenian Genocide, APA reported.

According to the Azerbaijani authorities, such steps serve "not to strengthen reconciliation and mutual understanding, but to further deepen existing disagreements, hindering efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and reconciliation in the region."

"Azerbaijan will continue to consistently uphold its position in defense of historical truth, respect for the principles of international law, and the promotion of lasting peace in the region," the ministry's statement said.

On June 28, the Israeli government unanimously approved an initiative submitted by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had announced his support for the recognition initiative.

"It is never too late to do the right thing. This horrific genocide, which took place more than 100 years ago and whose historical facts are truly indisputable, involved the killing of one and a half million people and the destruction of an ancient cultural and historical heritage," Sa'ar said.

Turkey responded to the Israeli government's decision to recognize the Armenian Genocide, describing it as politically motivated.