Paris hosted an event, initiated by Mayor Anne Hidalgo, to commemorate the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Representatives of the city authorities, MPs, senators, politicians, artists and celebrities were among numerous attendees.

In her opening speech, Ms Hidalgo called Ankara to face the truth, with the recognition of the Armenian Genocide crucial for Turkish people. She further briefed the guests about the events to be organized in the framework of the Genocide centenary commemoration.

Her statement was followed by that of the Co-ordination Council of Armenian Organizations of France representatives who slammed Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's condolence message, noting Ankara's policy of denial as ineffective.

"It is our hope and belief that the peoples of an ancient and unique geography, who share similar customs and manners will be able to talk to each other about the past with maturity and to remember together their losses in a decent manner. And it is with this hope and belief that we wish that the Armenians who lost their lives in the context of the early twentieth century rest in peace, and we convey our condolences to their grandchildren. Regardless of their ethnic or religious origins, we pay tribute, with compassion and respect, to all Ottoman citizens who lost their lives in the same period and under similar conditions,” Erdogan's statement said.

Armenia's ambassador to France Vigen Chitechyan, in turn, thanked Paris municipal authorities for their consistency in promoting the Genocide recognition.