Newly Elected Patriarch of Istanbul Criticizes US Senate Resolution Recognizing Armenian Genocide

The newly elected Patriarch of Istanbul, Bishop Sahak Mashalyan, has criticized the US Senate's resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide. In an interview with the Turkish newspaper Sabah, Mashalyan called the resolution an "immoral step," as reported by Tert.am.

“Such matters should not be taken seriously. There is nothing that directly concerns us for which we must be involved,” said Mashalyan regarding the genocide recognition resolution unanimously adopted by the US Senate.

“As an Armenian, we are saddened that the suffering that occurred in these lands 100 years ago is being used by foreign parliaments as a tool for strategic, economic, and political pressure,” said the Patriarch of the Armenians of Istanbul.

“We consider it inappropriate toward our ancestors,” he added.

The newly elected patriarch expressed hope that the people of Turkey will be able to resolve this issue themselves and that Turkey and Armenia can improve their relations. “When both sides cannot speak, third and fourth parties, who are abroad, aspire to the right to speak. All these issues need to be resolved by us. But since it is being postponed, it is used as leverage to exert pressure on Turkey. I do not think it is very moral to use the Armenian issue as a political tool against Turkey. I am not a politician; this interpretation is the work of political scientists,” he concluded.