Adoption of the resolution on Armenian Genocide by the German Bundestag will give qualitatively new impetus to international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Deputy Speaker of the Armenian parliament Eduard Sharmazanov stated in a talk with ArmInfo's correspondent.
According to him, recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide by Germany is very important, as it was this country that was ally of the Ottoman Empire in 1915. "Germany proved that it does not surrender to Turkey's intimidation and is a country, which adheres to protection of human rights and democratic values", Sharmazanov stated. At the same time he expressed assurance that adoption of the Genocide by Germany will have a knock-on effect and other countries will follow Berlin's example. "Besides, this stand of Berlin has 3-4 fold weakened Ankara's arguments on the Armenian Genocide issue", he noted.
Sharmazanov has already thanked in a telephone conversation Vice Speaker of German Bundestag Edelgard Bulmahn who noted that the spade was called a spade in this resolution. She noted the importance of recognition of one's own history and overcoming difficulties of the past.
To note, German Bundestag has adopted today the resolution on Armenian Genocide by vast majority of votes. Only one parliamentarian voted against and another abstained from voting. The resolution recognizes not only the fact of Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire in the beginning of the 20th century but also Germany's responsibility for these events. Armenia and Turkey's ambassadors were present at the hearings in Bundestag. However Chancellor Angela Merkel, Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel and Foreign Minister Frank- Walter Steinmeier have not been present at hearings. Deputy Government Spokesperson Christiane Wirtz stated that Merkel supports the resolution. Turkey in its turn has warned Berlin on the level of first ranking officials about the possible negative consequences of the Turkish-German relations in case of adoption of this resolution.