Germany Killed Two Birds with One Shot

• 06.02.2016, 20:51
• Greta Avetisyan
•  Europe,  World,  Armenia

Today the German Parliament with the majority of votes adopted a resolution recognizing the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Of course, adoption of such a resolution by Germany, which is one of the leading countries in Europe, will have its essential role and importance for the international perceptions on this issue. Nevertheless, in this context it is important to understand the reasons for Germany to resort to such a step. One should search those reasons in the context of Turkish-German relations.

The first and maybe the main reason for the adoption of the resolution is the migration crisis or, more precisely, Turkey’s behavior in the context of the EU-Turkey deal. Today the Turkish authorities are using the deal as a playing card to put pressure on the EU and get concessions in the EU integration process. Turkey’s such policy, however, should have brought the response of the EU, especially when the side of the deal – Turkey, is not carrying out its commitments. The timing of including the resolution on the agenda of Bundestag and the adoption of the resolution should be considered in this context - as a step for sobering Turkey. It is no secret that the Armenian Genocide is one of those issues any discussion around which causes the fury of the Turkish authorities, which once again was vividly expressed this time as well (Turkey even called its Ambassador back from Berlin).

The need for "slapping" Turkey to make it become sober also became a "reason" for Germany to "atone for its sins" in carrying out Genocide. However, Germany that is committed to universal values, should have done it long before. Adopting the resolution, Germany once again showed that it is responsible for what it has done in the past and it is one of the democratic values for Germany to call the crimes committed against humanity with their names and restore justice.

We can say it for sure that adopting a resolution on the Armenian Genocide Germany "killed two birds with one shot", using those "weapon from its arsenal", which would be the most effective one achieving its objectives.

The adoption of the resolution, as mentioned already, will have its positive impact in regard with having an influence on the perceptions of the international community. Nevertheless, to get much benefit from the created favorable conditions it is necessary to carry out targeted and coordinated steps both at diplomatic and public levels using all the "weapons in our arsenal."