A motion asking the Italian government to recognize the Armenian Genocide has been submitted to the parliament’s Chamber of Deputies, Ermenihaber reports.
According to the source, the Turkish Foreign Ministry has summoned Italian Ambassador to Ankara Massimo Gaiani for clarifications on the new measure which sparked discontent in the country.
The motion, submitted by deputies of Five Star Movement, has been signed by MPs of far-right League party, the opposition Democratic party and Brothers of Italy party.
The motion calls on the Italian government to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide and ensure international reactions.
“Recognizing and commemorating the cruelties and atrocities committed in the 20th century must be a constant warning,” reads the motion.
The text of the document makes reference to the 1973 decision of the UN Human Rights Commission to recognize as genocide the extermination of 1.5 million Armenians under the Ottoman Empire in 1915-1917, as well as a similar decision backed by the European Parliament in 2015 calling on all its member states to acknowledge the genocide.
The document also cites Pope Francis’ description of the Armenian Genocide as “the first genocide of the 20th century.”
Italy’s nine regional councils have already recognized the Armenian Genocide.