Uruguayan President Jose Mujica Sympathizes with the Victims of the Holocaust and Recalls the Armenian Genocide

The President of Uruguay, José Mujica, delivered a speech in a national radio and TV chain on January 27 to commemorate the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust, which he described as "a real affront to humanity," and used the occasion to remember the Armenian Genocide.

"We reaffirm our solidarity with the Jewish people. This people composed an important part in the building of our nation. We do it with the same respect and bonhomie that deserves every smaller and larger communities, which form the genesis of our construction," said the president. "We should not forget the genocide, not yet recognized, of the Armenian people. Uruguay maintains that characteristic of respect and solidarity towards all," said Mujica.

At the end of his speech he said "only a fierce and strong education and training in tolerance can ensure a peaceful coexistence in this world."

Last week, Mujica received a delegation of representatives of the Armenian community and accepted an invitation to join the Committee to Commemorate the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide as a member of honor when he leaves the presidency in March this year. Uruguay, which has a large Armenian community, was the first country to recognize, in 1965, the genocide against the Armenians perpetrated by the Turkish state.