Latvia shares the pain of the Armenian nation due to similarities in Latvian and Armenian histories, Latvian Foreign Minister said.

Dwelling on adoption of the bill penalizing the Armenian Genocide denial Edgars Rinkēvičs gave preference to coming to terms with past than being in politicized atmosphere.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, in turn, noted that “it is time Armenia and Turkey turned the page of Genocide negation to that of Genocide recognition.”

On January 23 the French Senate passed the bill with 127 votes for and 86 against. On December 22, 2011, it was adopted by the French National Assembly. The bill will impose a 45,000 euro fine and a year in prison for anyone in France who denies this crime against humanity committed by the Ottoman Empire.