German Bundestag passes Armenian Genocide resolution

Germany's Bundestag passed a resolution qualifying the Ottoman Era Armenian killings 'genocide'.

The lower house of parliament voted almost unanimously, with one vote against the motion and one abstention, Deutsche Welle reports.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said ahead of the resolution that it could result in damage in "diplomatic, economic, business, political and military relations" between the two countries.

However, it is unlikely that the passing of the resolution would actually put a dent to bilateral affairs, as there are no legal consequences associated with the vote. Turkey may, however, call in the German ambassador, as it has done in the past during other political disagreements, or recall its own ambassador to Berlin, as was the case in 2015 when Austria, Luxembourg and the Vatican passed similar resolutions with regards to the Armenian massacre.

Michael Brand, head of the parliamentary committee on human rights, stressed that he doubted Germany's relationship with Turkey would suffer after the resolution:

"I can't imagine that Turkey, which is currently finding itself isolated in its foreign policies in the face of mounting pressure from IS and the PKK, could afford to severe its ties with Germany - one of its most reliable partners," he told reporters. "This isn't about embarrassing Turkey but about articulating a historical truth. We cannot apply tact when it comes to the truth."