Nikos Dendias, the Greek Foreign Minister, has visited the Armenian capital of Yerevan in a show of solidarity with the Armenian leadership during their ongoing conflict with their neighbour Azerbaijan.
During a press conference with the Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, the Greek representative urged for peace in the region and condemned Turkey's backing of Azerbaijani forces, saying:
"Ankara's inference in one more conflict is very concerning. It has brought serious concerns in the international arena. We were the first urging the EU to react, calling for a lasting ceasefire and a peaceful solution under the auspices of the Minsk Group. We also proposed that the EU urge an end to the involvement of external forces."
He added:
"All have a well-known common denominator—Turkey. It is ignoring of EU calls on respecting the international legitimacy."
All tensions and illegal actions, namely in Syria, Iraq, Cyprus, Libya, in the Eastern Mediterranean have a known common denominator. The common denominator is Turkey. And this, in defiance of EU calls for respect of international legitimacy. #Armenia
— Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) October 16, 2020
Mr. Mnatsakanyan also voiced his anger and concern relating to Turkey's involvement in the ongoing crisis, stating:
"One of the main issues is that two new factors—Turkey and international terrorists—have created a most dangerous equation in Baku, which is not listening to the approach of the international community on this matter. This, of course, is dangerous and at the same time, surely, has its consequences."
Turkey has been vocal in its support for the Azerbaijani government in Baku during the conflict that erupted between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the 27th of September over the disputed Artsakh region, known officially as Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkey has also been accused of funnelling Jihadi fighters in the form of the Hamza Brigade into Azerbaijan in order to utilise them against Armenian forces. The Hamza brigade has already fought on behalf of Turkey in the civil wars in Syria and Libya where they have been accused of rapes and mass-killings.
One of the first actions of the Greek Foreign Minister upon landing in Yerevan was to visit the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and Armenian Genocide Museum that commemorates the Armenian genocide of 1915-1923 in which 1.5 million Armenians were murdered by Turks of the Ottoman Empire. To this day, Turkey denies this crime ever took place.
Starting my visit in #Armenia, I paid tribute and laid flowers at the #ArmenianGenocide Memorial. I also visited the museum @ArmGenocide100. #NeverForget #NeverAgain pic.twitter.com/7IXUWJhaeL
— Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) October 16, 2020
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