Genocide Bill Aimed at Preventing Turkey EU Accession?October 12, 2006 - 18:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - «We are happy and content that the bill [on criminal penalty for denial of the Armenian Genocide] is adopted exactly in the version that was presented at the very beginning,» stated member of the Board of Armenian Organizations of France Alexis Govchian. In his opinion the adoption of the bill will again raise the issue of the Genocide at the international arena, including in Turkey. «In the coming years launching a real dialogue will be possible. The bill is only one step. The work in Senate should continue,» he said.In his turn Hall Gardner from the American University of Paris believes that the Armenian lobby is very strong in France, but there is also the issue of Turkey's accession to the EU. «The vote specifically was aimed at creating obstacles on Turkey's way to EU. Maybe there is a human rights factor, but the EU matter is more serious,» he underscored. In the opinion of representatives of business circles, economic consequences from adoption of the bill will depend on Turkey's response, which may mean not admitting France to tenders announced by Turkish Government. Even if the decision becomes a law, how will it be executed? How can courts fight against thousands of Turks, who are French citizens and deny the Armenian Genocide,» Gizem Oztok from Sabanci University of Istanbul stated October 12. Meanwhile, the CNN Turk and Milliyett commentator Semi Idiz forecasts that in spite the French-Turkish relations may become tense, upon passage of some time everything will restore, reports RFE/RL. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia considers Cyprus as one of its main partners in EU - envoy Armenia considers Cyprus one of its main partners in the European Union, Ambassador Tigran Mkrtchyan has said. Armenian, Albanian Foreign Ministers discuss ties, regional issues Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Igli Hasani. POLITICO: Baku lobbying agains detained Karabakh ex-leader abroad Azerbaijan is lobbying agains former Nagorno-Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan, according to POLITICO. Armenia confirms will attend NATO summit in Washington Armenia has confirmed its participation in the NATO summit in Washington, a spokesperson has confirmed. |