The Turkish authorities were given explanation that President of Czech Republic Milos Zeman's statement during the January visit by President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan to Prague, calling the massacre of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey in 1915-23 the genocide, reflected his personal opinion, the head of international department of the Czech President's Administration, Ginek Kmonichek, officially declared, as Czech Television reported.
To note, although unlike Slovakia, Czech Republic did not recognize the Armenian genocide, President Zaman said that the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide will be marked in 2015. Czech Senator Jaromir Stetina has welcomed the statement of the President of Czech Republic about the Armenian Genocide. He intends to introduce a declaration on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide to foreign relations and defense committees of the Parliament of Czech Republic on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. "The declaration will be introduced in 2015 ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. I would like Czech Senate to join the civilized parliaments which have recognized the Armenian Genocide. Preparatory work activities towards the declaration will launch in late 2014," Czech Senator stated.