Dutch MPs recognize Armenian Genocide

On February 22, most of the delegates to the lower house of the Dutch Parliament voted for two resolutions concerning the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 14, Israel refused to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Israel has stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is afraid of the diplomatic consequences of such recognition.

On February 22, the Parliament of the Netherlands also decided that on April 24, 2018, a member of the Dutch government will attend the memorial events in Yerevan.

The Armenian MFA has thanked the Netherlands and noted that the decision demonstrates the country's adherence to common human values, the "Panarmenian.net" reports.

The decision of the Parliament was condemned by the Dutch "Denk" Party, representing the interests of the Turkish Diaspora. According to experts, recognition of the Armenian Genocide will complicate relations between The Hague and Ankara, the TASS reports.

The Armenian Genocide is recognized by such countries as Argentina, Belgium, Vatican, Greece, Canada, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Uruguay, France, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. In the US, only two states Alabama and Mississippi did not recognize the Armenian Genocide. The authorities of Turkey do not consider mass murders of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide.