On December 3, CivilNet published an article by Guillaume de Chazournes about remarks made by Sorin Vasile, Romania’s Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia at a lecture in Yerevan. During that lecture, Ambassador Vasile made derogatory remarks about sexual and religious minorities when attempting to answer a question about the moral imperative of recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Following the publication of that article, Ambassador Sorin Vasile issued the following statement to CivilNet:
“In connection with the article published on Civilnet on 4 December, about my conference to the American University, I want to convey my heartfelt regret that my remarks on the tragic events that caused infinite suffering to the Armenian people at the beginning of the past century have come to cause, beyond any remote intentionality, some offense to the Armenian people. It is with deep regret that I take how my comments to a question were interpreted. I am profoundly sorry for any unfortunate misunderstanding that may have any potential bearing on the solid traditional relations between the Romanian and Armenian peoples, built in centuries on mutual support and trust.
It may be the case that some of my remarks have been considered misplaced and if so the case I am deeply sorry for it.
I firmly underline that Armenia has a friend in me. I hold the genuine trust that my activities involving both the local authorities and the Armenian public at large, my statements and interviews testify to the highest consideration that I have for Armenia as a country with a great and rich history and for its future.”
Sorin Vasile
Ambassador of Romania to the Republic of Armenia
Source: Civilnet
