ArmInfo. The newly elected Patriarch of the Diocese of Constantinople of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Bishop Sahak Mashalyan criticized the resolution of the US Senate on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. In an interview with the Turkish Sabah newspaper, he called the resolution "an immoral step."
According to him, this kind of thing should not be taken seriously. "As Armenians, we are saddened by the fact that the suffering that occurred on these lands 100 years ago is used by parliaments of foreign countries as an instrument of strategic, economic and political pressure. We consider this unacceptable, "the patriarch said.
He expressed hope that the Turkish people will be able to solve the problem on their own, and Turkey and Armenia will be able to improve relations. "When both parties cannot agree, the third or fourth parties, those who are abroad, have no right to speak on their behalf," Sahak Mashalyan said. "We must resolve all these issues. But since the decision is being delayed, it is used as a lever to exert pressure on Turkey. I consider it very immoral to use the Armenian issue as a political tool against Turkey. I am not a politician, this is the task of politicians to comment," bishop said.
To recall, the US Senate unanimously approved a resolution on recognition of the Armenian Genocide on December 12, which emphasizes that US policy is to recognize the killing of 1.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide. In October this year, the lower house of Congress - the House of Representatives, overwhelmingly recognized the Armenian Genocide. 405 congressmen voted for the resolution, 11-against.