Press service of the Armenian president told RIA Novosti that Kocharyan's address mentioned, in particular, that "1915 was a watershed year in the Armenian history. It fundamentally changed the natural evolution of Armenian history. The consequences of the tragedy are still reflected in the lifestyle of all Armenians."
According to Kocharyan, the condemnation of Armenian genocide on the part of international community is an issue of general concern. "This problem must be regarded in the context of regional and international politics today," the Armenian president stressed.
Kocharyan also noted that Armenian leadership had stated on numerous occasions and continues to insist on development of normal relations with Turkey. However, the policy of denial conducted by Turkish authorities raises questions not only among Armenian people, but also among global community.
According to the Armenian president, the genocide occurred due to various reasons, but the major cause was the absence of Armenian statehood.
From the second half of the 19th century to 1920, the Ottoman Empire conducted a planned persecution campaign against Armenians, which saw its height in 1915-1916, when more than 1.5 mln Armenians were killed in various regions of Western Armenia, which was part of the Ottoman Empire at the time. About 600,000 Armenians became refugees and dispersed among many countries. The Armenian Diaspora was formed.
Many countries, including Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Canada, Cyprus, Lebanon, Russia, Slovakia, Uruguay (the first country to do so officially in 1965), France and Switzerland have recognized the genocide against Armenians.
