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CoE Secretary General to Serzh Sargsyan: Mr President, I am with you

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Addressing the opening session of an international forum “Against the Crime of Genocide” that started today at Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex in Yerevan, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland said he was excited as he ‘comes from the country of Fridtjof Nansen.” Mr Jagland says in order to prevent repetition of such tragedies we should commemorate all those who paid with their lives. “Regardless of his political views, Fridtjof Nansen did everything he could to save people. This is the best message. We just need to act seeing people's sufferings,” he said. The CoE General Secretary believes that states are to prevent ethnic cleansing in their countries themselves, with the international community assisting the process. “Now I address the Republic of Armenia and ask you not to stop your efforts. The Council of Europe appreciates your steps and we know your approaches to racism. When Armenia assumed the chairmanship of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) these views provided fertile ground for the fight against radicalism and nationalism. Armenians want from life things that everyone else wants – an opportunity to work and bring up children, travel and cross borders. I hope that you will be reconciled with your neighbors. Open societies are politically and economically strong in Europe,” he said expressing his gratitude to the civil society for exerting efforts to reconcile Armenian and Turkish peoples. "We express our commitment to preventing violence, overcoming the consequences of the tragedy and excluding their repetition in the future. Genocides are the consequences of some decisions. As Fridtjof Nansen said, “War will stop when people realize that they do not want to fight anymore.” We should put aside nationalism and head for internationalism. We should revive globalism, which is enshrined in the UN Charter. I thank Armenian people for their courage. Mr President, I am with you,” Thorbjørn Jagland said in conclusion.