HIS EXCELLENCY SERGE SARKSSIAN PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA MET WITH HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

“As Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia I will continue to demand justice on behalf of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide”
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

On the occasion of his visit to Lebanon H.E. Serge Sarkissian had two private meetings with His Holiness Aram I. During these meetings he explained the reasons for the Armenia-Turkey agreement, as well as briefed him on his conversations with the representatives of Armenian diaspora communities.

His Holiness Aram I reminded the President of his own recent statement regarding his position on this matter and appreciated the President’s initiative to brief the diaspora on the decision of the Armenian government. Catholicos Aram I then said: “Armenians in diaspora will not compromise on issues of Genocide and Compensation. The memorial chapel in Antelias with the remains of one and a half million innocent men, women and children, the victims of organized genocide by the Ottoman Turkish government, is a constant reminder of our obligation to demand justice and the recognition of the Genocide”. He then continued: “As Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia I will honor the memory of the martyrs by continuing to demand justice. The government of Armenia should continue to remind Turkey and the international community that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is a must and not a matter of negotiation.”

The President told His Holiness Catholicos Aram I that the issue of recognition of the Armenian Genocide belonged to all Armenians, and therefore, he understood the anger of the diaspora. However, he said, the economico-political terms of Armenia-Turkey agreement were important for Armenia. Before leaving His Holiness’ residence the President reconfirmed his commitment to the cause of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and ended his visit to Antelias by placing a wreathe at the Chapel of the Martyrs.

Source: