SYDNEY: The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) has thanked the United States Ambassador to Australia Jeffrey L. Bleich after the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted Resolution 252, recognising of the Armenian Genocide.

The resolution, which affirms and condemns the Armenian Genocide as a crime against humanity, paves the way for the resolution to enter US Congress for discussion and a vote.

The letter, sent on behalf of ANC Australia by its President Varant Meguerditchian, read: "The Armenian-Australian community joins human rights advocates worldwide, as well as the government of the Republic of Armenia, the people of Armenia, and the Armenian diaspora in sincere appreciation of this milestone."

Meguerditchian told Armenia Online that this decision, while only a step towards a Congress resolution in the US, sets an important precedent for Australia, where ANC Australia hopes to have the Armenian Genocide recognised at Federal level. The Armenian Genocide has already been recognised by the New South Wales and South Australian state governments, respectively.

He said: "We welcome the decision of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to pass the Armenian Genocide resolution in the United States.

"The recently passed resolution acknowledging the Armenian Genocide by the Parliament of South Australia has built momentum and raised hopes for the Federal Parliament of Australia to also recognise the Genocide of Armenians in 1915."

For ANC Australia's full letter to Ambassador Bleich, please click here.