Belgian PM recognizes 1915 killing of Ottoman Armenians as ‘genocide’

BRUSSELS – Anadolu Agency

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Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has recognized on the behalf of the Belgian government the killing of Ottoman Armenians in eastern Anatolia from 1915 as “genocide,” Belgian media reported on June 18.Belgian newspaper Le Soir reported June 18 that Michel, the youngest prime minister in Belgium’s history, stated in parliament that the killings perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire between 1915 to 1917 “must be viewed as a genocide.”This comes a few months after the European Parliament adopted a resolution on April 15 recognizing the 1915 events affecting Armenians as “genocide.” The European Parliament resolution is not binding on member states, but recommends that they follow the same path.Turkey has repeatedly rejected the EU’s definition of the killings, saying Armenians died during a relocation process during World War I after part of the Armenian population sided with the invading Russians and revolted against the Ottoman Empire.Armenia has demanded an apology and compensation for the killings, while Turkey has said that although Armenians died, many Turks also lost their lives at the hands of Armenian gangs in Anatolia.