The world community must remember the Genocide to prevent it in future, French President Francois Hollande said at the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan, on April 24.
"With our participation in these events we make our contribution to the process of reconciliation, process of expanding peace in the region, in the world, in the Middle East," the president said. He said recognition of the Armenian Genocide is another act of peace. Hollande said important words have been repeatedly made in Turkey, but there are still the ones that are yet to be pronounced to relieve the paid. The French president hopes the Armenian-Turkish border will open in the near future. He touched upon the Karabakh conflict saying France contributes to the peace process.
The French president recalled that the first victims of the Armenian Genocide in 1915 were Armenian intellectuals. Many of them who survived found shelter in France and made their contribution to the prosperity of that country. "Like Charles Aznavour they have become the common pride of Armenia and France," he said.
Francois Hollande said his country has recognized the Genocide, as it does not want such crimes to repeat. In this light, he said, France is against denial, against distortion of the truth, and against genocides.
"France sees no difference between Cambodia, Rwanda or any other country that suffered genocide. It is important to remember the historical fact. Therefore, I permitted opening the archive on Rwanda. People must not be killed for their nationality or religion," he said. Hollande said the situation in the Middle East is alarming as representatives of the national and religions minorities have faced a threat of extermination there.