Armenian National Assembly vice-speaker Eduard Sharmazanov commented on Turkish Foreign Minister’s criticism of the U.S. President Barack Obama’s annual address on Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day, as well as statements by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and presidential candidate Francois Hollande, Armenian parliament’s press service reports.

“Armenia welcomes genocide international recognition, condemnation of crimes against humanity and criminalization of their denial. Dwelling on Turkey’s proposal on discussion of the fact of genocide, I will once again state that the fact of the Armenian Genocide can never be a subject for discussion. Turkey which still continues blockade of Armenia and genocide denial policy is the only obstacle to normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.

Armenian-Turkish reconciliation is possible only in case of Turkey’s fulfillment of international commitments it has assumed,” Mr. Sharmazanov’s statement reads.