Q: The foreign policy section of Armenia's state budget draft for 2005 does not contain provisions related to international recognition of Armenian Genocide, which caused speculation in the mass media, particularly in Turkey and Azerbaijan. How would you comment on this situation?

A: Armenia's policy for international recognition of the Genocide has not changed. Like before, Genocide recognition continues to be high on Armenia's foreign policy agenda; it does not depend on provisions of the state budget and does not require a specific reference in the government's explanatory note to the draft budget.

International recognition of Armenian Genocide is a matter of concern not only for Armenia and Armenians, but is a challenge facing all mankind. As such, this recognition cannot be packed into a budget line or any other financial estimate.