President Robert Kocharian's 24th April Statement - Armenian Presidential Office, 24 April 2002
Today, just like every year, the entire Armenian nation remembers the victims of the Armenian Genocide. By arresting the members of the Armenian intelligentsia and clergy on this day in 1915, the Ottoman Turkey started carrying out this crime organized on the state level, which was to become the most tragic period in the history of the Armenian people. The future of a whole nation in the cradle of its thousands-years old civilization and culture was jeopardized. Armenians from all walks of life still continue to be strongly affected by these tragic events that took place in the beginning of the last century.
The pursuit of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide is on Armenia’s foreign policy agenda and reflects the rightful demands and expectations of the Armenian people.
| "The pursuit of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide is on Armenia's foreign policy agenda and reflects the rightfull demands and expectations of the Armenian people." |
| President Kocharian |
Armenians in Armenia and all over the world continue to strive for international recognition and condemnation of this crime against humanity. This is not an expression of any vindictive feelings, but a concern to prevent the occurrence of similar crimes in the future.
Today we bow our heads in tribute to the Genocide victims with a deep conviction that the restoration of historical justice is inevitable. We look ahead with a belief in our country’s and our state’s prosperous future that will be built by joint efforts and dedication of the entire Armenian nation.