PACE President: Violence can never be an answer

Anne Brasseur, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), today answered several questions in the Armenian National Assembly though she did not respond to journalists’ questions. Speaking about the planned constitutional reforms in Armenia, the PACE President said, “Whatever decision you make and whatever direction you choose it is important that it serve your country.” Speaking about the Karabakh conflict, Anne Brasseur said, “The only way in which solution can be found is, of course, through dialogue. Violence can never be an answer.” The PACE President also spoke about the mass killings of Armenians in 1915. “Commemorations of the 100th anniversary of World War I massacres of Armenians are very important. Massacres are unacceptable for us and we should do everything possible to prevent their repetition. After WW I war, our ancestors were able to stop the war, but they were unable to ensure lasting peace. If you fail to come to terms with the past, we cannot build a common future together,” she said without using the word ‘genocide.’ Anne Brasseur arrived in Armenia on April 13 on an official visit. She is scheduled to meet with Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, Chairman of the National Assembly Galust Sahakyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan and other high-ranking officials. In Yerevan, the PACE President will also meet with representatives of parliamentary factions, members of the Armenian delegation to PACE, civil society and students of Yerevan State University.