Spanish region recognizes Armenian ‘genocide’: reports
The parliament of a Spanish region has passed
legislation recognizing the 1915 developments in Ottoman Turkey as
an alleged genocide of Armenians, Armenian media reported.
The decision, passed in the parliamentary foreign affairs committee of Catalonia’s Autonomous Community on February 26, did not cause lawmakers’ disagreement during the debate in the legislature.
The MPs from Catalonia, one of Spain’s 17 autonomous provinces, suggested tabling the draft law in the Spanish parliament, however, the bill was not included in the foreign affairs committee of the country’s legislature.
The Catalonian lawmakers also cited the need for stepping up efforts to normalize relations between Turkey and Armenia, which face decades of enmity. Yerevan’s "genocide" claims, as well as Armenia's occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan, Turkey’s ally, have posed roadblocks for a reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia, and the border between the two countries remains shut.
Armenians claim 1.5 million of their ancestors were killed in the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. Armenians residing in the Anatolia region started riots in 1890, which intensified during World War I, and fought against the Ottoman army in support of Russia. In an effort to end the stand-off, the Ottoman government decided in 1915 to resettle the Armenians to other parts of the country. Armenians claim their forefathers were subjected to "genocide" in the process. Ankara dismisses the claims and has offered to research the events through a joint commission of historians.*
The decision, passed in the parliamentary foreign affairs committee of Catalonia’s Autonomous Community on February 26, did not cause lawmakers’ disagreement during the debate in the legislature.
The MPs from Catalonia, one of Spain’s 17 autonomous provinces, suggested tabling the draft law in the Spanish parliament, however, the bill was not included in the foreign affairs committee of the country’s legislature.
The Catalonian lawmakers also cited the need for stepping up efforts to normalize relations between Turkey and Armenia, which face decades of enmity. Yerevan’s "genocide" claims, as well as Armenia's occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan, Turkey’s ally, have posed roadblocks for a reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia, and the border between the two countries remains shut.
Armenians claim 1.5 million of their ancestors were killed in the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. Armenians residing in the Anatolia region started riots in 1890, which intensified during World War I, and fought against the Ottoman army in support of Russia. In an effort to end the stand-off, the Ottoman government decided in 1915 to resettle the Armenians to other parts of the country. Armenians claim their forefathers were subjected to "genocide" in the process. Ankara dismisses the claims and has offered to research the events through a joint commission of historians.*
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.
Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.
Subscribe
You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Thank you!