ArmInfo. The German government has commented on Der Spiegel's information that allegedly it intends to distance itself from Bundestag's resolution on Armenian Genocide. There can be no talk about it. German Bundestag has the right to express opinion on any issue when it finds it right. The German government supports and defends German parliament's sovereign right, Official Representative of German government Steffen Seibert stated commenting on the information published by Der Spiegel that the government is ready to make a "political gesture" towards Ankara, distancing itself from the Bundestag's resolution, DW reports.
He also stressed that the government does not have the authority to interfere in work of the other branch of power and assess its actions. At the same time Steffen Seibert added that Bundestag's resolution is not legally binding.
Spokesperson of German Foreign Ministry also made a statement clarifying that German Foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier personally supports the resolution. On the same day Frank-Walter Steinmeier after meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that Bundestag has full right and freedom to express its opinion on political issues. However, according to him MPS of Bundestag noted themselves that not every resolution is legally binding. Frank-Walter Steinmeier did not comment on the government's stand on the issue.
Earlier Spiegel-online reported, citing its own sources that the German government is going to make a "political gesture" towards Ankara, distancing itself from the Bundestag's resolution that describes the mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide. Berlin expects that instead Turkey will let the German lawmakers into Incirlik airbase.
To note, German Bundestag adopted on June 2 the resolution on Armenian Genocide by a vast majority of votes. Only one parliamentarian voted against and another abstained from voting. The resolution recognizes not only the fact of Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire in the beginning of the 20th century but also Germany's responsibility for these events. The ambassadors of Armenia and Turkey were present at the hearings in Bundestag. However Chancellor Angela Merkel, Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel and Foreign Minister Frank- Walter Steinmeier were not present at the hearings. Deputy Government Spokesperson Christiane Wirtz stated that Merkel supports the resolution. Turkey, in its turn, has warned Berlin on the level of first ranking officials against the possible negative consequences for the Turkish-German relations in case the resolution was adopted. Ankara recalled its Ambassador to Germany Avni Karslioglu following the adoption of the resolution.