Eduard Sharmazanov: "Violence and weapons can never solve the  problems of mankind"

ArmInfo.The signing and  ratification of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement  opens a new chapter in the history of cooperation between the  European Union and Armenia. Vice-Speaker of the Armenian Parliament  Eduard Sharmazanov stated during the third Assembly of the Heads of  Parliaments of Central and Eastern Europe on July 12.

He expressed hope that this is a new page in the development of  democracy, the protection of human rights and the establishment of  peace. "We expect that other EU member states will ratify the  Agreement at an acceptable time," the vice-speaker said. Sharmazanov  noted that the current world, including the European region, is full  of numerous challenges - these are closed borders, militaristic  rhetoric and military attempts to resolve unresolved conflicts.  "Regarding the closed borders, I should note that Turkey, despite the  previously signed Zurich protocols, continues to block the border  with Armenia, the Turkish policy of preconditions and blockade of  Armenia is reprehensible, we are supporters of normalizing relations  without preconditions" , - the vice-speaker emphasized. In this  context, he expressed gratitude to the Polish Sejm for the  recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. Sharmazanov  noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the convention  adopted by the UN General Assembly on the Prevention and Punishment  of the Crime of Genocide. This UN convention was the first one that  touched upon the problems of mankind. The genocide of Armenians,  Greeks and Assyrians in the Ottoman Empire and Kemalist Turkey was  one of the greatest disasters of the 20th century, which claimed more  than 2 million lives of innocent Christians. Let's not forget that  impunity leads to new crimes, "the Vice-Speaker said, also thanking  the Polish Sejm for accepting a special resolution to the 650th  anniversary of the Armenian community in 2017. The Vice Speaker of  the Armenian Parliament also touched upon the Nagorno- Karabakh  conflict, noting that Armenia rejects the military solution to the  conflict: "The problem should be resolved solely through peaceful  negotiations, in the format of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship,  on the basis of three well-known principles: peaceful settlement,  realization of the right to self-determination territorial integrity.  The right to self-determination is a natural right of citizens, and  the citizens of Artsakh have as much right to self-determination and  to live in an independent state as each of us. I call everyone to  peace, tolerance and dialogue. I would like to end the floor with the  following appeal of Pope John the Second: "Do not be afraid to preach  peace, live in peace ... Violence and weapons can never solve the  problems of mankind", concluded Sharmazanov.