November 1, 2006 - 15:28 AMT
Recognition of Armenian Genocide Will Allow Turkey Rank among Civilized Countries
Yuri Navoyan, the head of the ARF's Hay Dat office of Moscow, met on October 30 with Annes Cookerman, the political advisor of the French Embassy in Moscow, ARF press service reported. Navoyan expressed the gratitude of Moscow's Armenian community for the French parliament's adoption of a bill criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide.
During the meeting Navoyan said the passing of the bill is an expression of the respect of the Armenian people's rights. In turn, Cookerman spoke of the disputes going on in the French society on Turkey's bid to join the European Union. She pointed out that France wants to help build confidence and cooperation between nations.
Navoyan emphasized the need for Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide in order to be accepted among civilized countries. During the meeting the parties also exchanged views on regional issues and noted the importance of measures within the Year of Armenia in France, the Yerkir reports.