The Spanish city of Villena has adopted an institutional statement officially recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide.

As reported the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Spain, the statement of Villena City Council describes the events as genocide and a crime against humanity.

The statement attaches importance to the condemnation of crimes with no expiry date in the context of excluding similar crimes. It should be noted that Turkey had made attempts to exert pressure and the members of the People’s and Socialist Parties had changed their positions at the last minute, but this wasn’t decisive, and Villena became one of the thirty cities of Spain having recognized the Armenian Genocide.

The following are the results of the voting of the parties represented in the city council: The Greens Europe (Los Verdes Europa)-for (11 votes); People’s Party (PP)-against (7 votes); Socialist Party (PSOE)-abstain (3 votes).