Germany’s recognition of Genocide to have domino effect – Czech MEP

A Czech member of the European Parliament has hailed the Bundestag’s resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide, describing the German legislators’ move as a decision having a domino effect.

“The President’s voice is, of course, influential. I completely support his step since the Czech Parliament has not recognized the Armenian Genocide yet. It is the shame of our history”, Jaromír Stetina, a member of EU-Armenia and the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Assembly told the state news agency “Armenpress”.

The European parliamentarian, who is a military journalist by profession, said he sees high chances for the Czech Republic to follow Germany’s example.

“Of course, there are prospects that, in fact, one of the strongest parties the Social-Democratic party, as I know, is going to recognize the Genocide. I think that it plays a key role, and the Armenian diplomacy should conduct steps to negotiate with the MPs of that party. Both the Armenian diplomacy, and the Diaspora must take steps in the whole Europe since, in fact, one of the influential country’s Germany’s decision can have a domino effect”, he noted.

Commenting the Czech-Turkish relations and Turkey’s future steps, the Mr Stetina said, “I think that the relations of the two states are based on being NATO partners, however, I don’t want to tie this with the Genocide issue. In fact, Turkey’s economic relations with Europe, in particular with Germany will become stronger, rather than Turkey’s criticism towards Germany over the Genocide issue. Moreover, Turkey is the chief economic partner of Europe, it may perhaps complain, threaten, but I don’t think there will be any serious further consequences.”

The European parliamentarian said he is not surprised by Azerbaijan’s stance on the issue. “Azerbaijanis are the same Turks, just simply the one is called Turk, and the other Azeri”, he added.