1 / 2

Deputies of the Riksdag of the Kingdom of Sweden Annelie Enochson and Fredrik Malm were awarded Medal of Honour of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Swedish Parliament, as well as for strengthening and developing Armenia-Sweden inter-parliamentary relations.

On April 22 at RA National Assembly in a solemn ceremony the parliament Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan handed the awards. In his word, the head of the parliament said: “Honourable Mrs Annelie Enochson and Mr Fredrik Malm, I am glad to welcome you in the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. You are the political figures, who had courage to look straight at the eyes of truth and have significant contribution in the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Swedish Parliament.

More than a year ago, on 11 March 2010, the Swedish Parliament with your participation and efforts, making its contribution aimed at the restoration of the historical truth and daily ongoing international process, took a decision, by which recognized the events, which occurred in the Ottoman Empire in 1915 as genocide.

I am aware in what tense conditions and confrontation that decision was taken. And in this case weightier become your personal contribution and your colleagues’ contribution that promoted the adoption of the decision not only for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, but also in general, the phenomenon of genocide as preventing heinous crime.

In 1915 the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by Ottoman Turkey has not been fully justly condemned by the international community, though parliaments and governments, international structures of many states of the world have recognized it. It is extremely important that the one who committed the crime will be able to publicly realize and accept the sin, call a spade a spade and try to join the civilized European family repented. The mentioned following expression in the decision of the Swedish Parliament precisely characterizes the situation: ‘Turkey cannot be considered a democratic state, unless the real picture is still rejected there.”

Ending his word RA NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan on behalf of RA National Assembly, his colleagues and Armenian people thanked Annelie Enochson and Fredrik Malm for their contribution and participation in making decision on recognizing as genocide the events, which occurred in Ottoman Empire in 1915 by the Swedish Parliament on March 11, 2010. Mr Abrahamyan in the name of his colleagues once again congratulated them on being awarded NA Medal of Honour and wished new successes. “You are real friends of the Armenian people.” RA NA Speaker noted.

Thanking for the high award the member of the Riksdag Annelie Enochson noted in particular: “ When on March 11, 2011 in the Swedish Parliament we voted in favor of recognizing the genocide, we did it, as it emanated from the deep of our heart.” In the Swedish deputy’s words, any nation, any state cannot be in rest, so that what happened in the past will be left in oblivion. “Turkey shall apologize for genocide perpetrated towards your people,” Annelie Enochson declared, wishing Armenian people all the best: “God bless you.”