Recognition of Armenian Genocide by Holland
House of Representatives of the States General Assembly Year 2004-2005 21 501-20 European Council
Nr.270
MOTION OF THE MEMBER ROUVOET C.S. Presented 21 December 2004
The Chamber,
on the advice of the deliberation,
Noting that the European Council, in the meeting on 16 and 17 December 2004 in Brussels, has decided the start of the accession negotiations with Turkey on 3 October 2005;
Noting that the European Council in its conclusion has settled that an intensive political and cultural dialogue will take place with Turkey, whereby civil society is also involved, in order to improve the reciprocal understanding by bringing together the people (conclusion 23);
Being of the opinion that herewith an honest acceptance of its own history of candidate member state is inextricably connected;
Asks the government within the framework of its dialogue with Turkey to continuously and expressly raise the recognition of the Armenian genocide;
and proceeds to the order of the day.
Rouvoet
Van Bommel
Van der Staaij
Van der Laan
Van Baalen
Herbens
Duyvendak
Wilders
PRESS RELEASE
FEDERATION OF ARMENIAN ORGANISATIONS IN THE NETHERLANDS (FAON)
24 April Committee
Weesperstraat 91
NL - 2574 VS The Hague
Contact: M. Hakhverdian
Tel. 070 4490209
E-mail: april24committee@wanadoo.nl
Website: http://24aprilcomite.ontheweb.nl
Armenian Genocide prominently present at EU Summit
Minister Bot: Turkey not in EU without recognition of Armenian Genocide
The Hague, 15 December 2004 - Dutch Foreign Minister Bot speaking about Armenian Genocide, has declared today, that accession of Turkey to the EU is out of the question without Turkey recognising her own past. This issue has the full attention, according to Mr. Bot. Minister reacted today to the questions of the spokesmen of nearly all fractions of Dutch Parliament during the "Europe" debate.
Also the European Parliament voted today the report on Turkey¹s accession, established by Mr. Eurlings, the Dutch CDA Member of European Parliament, wherein at the last moment the recommendation to Turkey was added to recognise the Armenian Genocide. As usual the EU Summit will start coming Friday with a conversation with the President of the European Parliament. The EP recognised the Armenian Genocide in 1987.
The question of the Armenian Genocide will be strongly present during the EU Summit, because of the notice of France last Monday, stating that during EU Summit the question of the Genocide, which is denied until now by Turkey, will be put on the agenda.
The Armenians of Europe will underline this attention by holding a large demonstration coming Friday in Brussels in front of the building, where EU Summit will decide on Turkey¹s accession matter.
The Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands has up to present day insisted that the Dutch Prime Minister, Dutch Foreign Minister and the political parties at the Dutch Parliament consider the Armenian question seriously. The Armenians are worried about the fact that, as signs of reforms are being shown by Turkey, absolutely no step has been put forward on the Armenian genocide and for normalisation of the relation with Armenia as a neighbouring country. It does not appear that Turkey shows readiness to carry out reforms in this respect. Only pressure from outside can bring a change in this matter. For this reason the Armenian Federation has urged the Dutch presidency of EU to make every effort to put down in the conclusions of 17 December on Turkey, that it is expected from that country to improve the relations with Armenia. This means recognition of the past including the Armenian Genocide, lifting the border blockade of Armenia and starting diplomatic relations with Armenia. Then it would be possible to monitor the progress in this area, in the same way as with respect to human rights and freedom of expression.
One and half million Armenians and large numbers of other Christians lost their lives during the Genocide of 1915. Turkey denies this genocide up to present. Other candidate Member States such as Romania and Croatia have recently distanced themselves from the black pages of their history. It is not realistic to think that Turkey will be an exception.
The Armenian Federation believes that Europe is obliged to follow consistently her principles. And if Turkey wants to belong to Europe these principles apply also to Turkey.