YEREVAN (Yerkir/Armenpress)–Erik Boel–chairman of the Danish European Movement–visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum in Yerevan Wednesday and wrote in the guestbook that–"This tragedy should not be forgotten."
Boel was accompanied by Armenian Parliament Vice-speaker and Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau member Vahan Hovhannisian and Bureau member Mario Nalbandian.
He also laid a wreath in honor of the victims.
"The country I represent and I personally believe that it was a genocide. And this is why I am paying homage to the victims of that tragedy. I believe all countries should come to terms with their pasts to move forward–I believe Germany is the best example," he said.
As for making recognition of the Armenian genocide for Turkey a precondition to admission into the European Union–Boel said that he believed it is in Turkey’s interest to recognize the Genocide.
He said Turkey must acknowledge this crime committed by the Ottoman Empire and come to terms with its past. He said the EU and Armenia’should encourage Turkey to continue its membership drive–otherwise nationalistic forces within the country may become stronger.
Boel also spoke about the Karabagh conflict–saying it is not as big a priority for Europe–which focuses more on problems in the Middle East and Kosovo.