The Genocide changed the destiny of the Armenian people and resulted in more sufferings in the future, but we found the strength to revive, to build an independent state and control our own fate, acting prime minister Karen Karapetyan said on Tuesday, April 24.

On Tuesday, Armenians worldwide are commemorating the 103rd anniversary of the Genocide which began in the Ottoman Empire in 1915 and continued until 1923. Some three dozen countries, hundreds of local government bodies and international organizations have so far recognized the killings of 1.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as Genocide. Turkey denies to this day.

“Today we are going through another difficult phase in our modern history,” Karapetyan said, referring to the mass protests against the authorities and the resignation of former prime minister Serzh Sargsyan on Monday.

“I called on all the political forces to depoliticize this day, and I am very glad my appeal was accepted. And now we are showing to the world that despite internal problems and some difficulties, we are united.”

Karapetyan said that the Armenian people are thus reaffirming their determination to create a strong statehood and a free and civilized society.