ArmInfo.Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Artak Apitonyan delivered a speech at the OSCE-wide Counter-Terrorism Conference in Bratislava from March 25-26.
The press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry told ArmInfo that Apitonyan began his speech by condemning the terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia stressed the imperative of preventing and combating terrorism and extremism. Referring to crimes committed on the basis of national hatred, in particular, their popularization by some states, Apitonyan expressed concern that such approaches create fertile ground for the establishment and spread of radicalism and terrorism.
In this context, the Armenian diplomat expressed his conviction that the OSCE should play a more important role in the prevention of such crimes.
Apitonyan also stated that Armenia, along with other countries at various international platforms, including the OSCE, condemned the atrocities committed by terrorists in Syria and Iraq against ethnic and religious groups. He added that over the past eight years, the people of Syria and Iraq, especially religious minorities, have been subjected to massacres and deportations. In this context, Apitonyan noted that, despite the successful military operations against terrorist organizations, terrorism continues to be an unprecedented threat to international peace and security. The Deputy Foreign Minister also added that the return of foreign terrorists to their country of origin adversely affects security and stability in the OSCE region and could lead to tensions in conflict zones and crisis zones.
Concluding his speech, the Deputy Foreign Minister stressed the importance of the full participation of all states, international and regional organizations in the fight against terrorism.