The
fight against the denial of the Armenian Genocide helps to prevent new crimes,
Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Eduard Sharmazanov said during a phone
talk with the head of the Greece-Armenian Friendship Group o the Greek Parliament
Apostolos Kaklamanis on Wednesday.
He thanked Kaklamanis for the Greek Parliament's
decision to criminalize the denial of the Armenian Genocide.
"We highly appreciate this step and regard it as
a service not only to the Armenian and Greek peoples but to whole
humanity," Sharmazanov said.
Kaklamanis expressed commitment to further promote
Armenian-Greek cooperation.
On Sept 9 the Geek Parliament adopted a law
criminalizing denial of the genocides of Armenians and Pontos Greeks in Ottoman
Empire in early 20th century. 54 Greek MPs voted pro, 42 contra, 3
abstained. From now on those in Greece
who will deny the genocides will face a fine and even a term in jail.
During an earlier meeting with Greek Prime Minister
Antonis Samaras, Turkish President Recep Erdogan said that the adoption of such
a law might spoil Greek-Turkish relations. Samaras retorted that this was not
contrary to the international law.
Thus, Greece is the third country after Switzerland
and Slovakia to have criminalized the denial of the Armenian Genocide. Over 20
countries have recognized the genocide.