October 11, 2006 - 17:15 AMT
Turkey Says French Bill on Armenian Genocide "Great Injustice"
The adoption of the bill penalizing the Armenian Genocide denial in France is a "great injustice" toward Turkey, Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Turan Morali told reporters October 11. He remarked that France's move aroused anxiety in Turkey. "The step taken by the French government is very primitive. The adoption of the bill by a country like France arouses regret," Morali said. The diplomat considers that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by France will hamper Turkey's accession to the EU.

Morali also remarked that the Turkish government welcomes the Azeri parliament's stand on the issue. "Yesterday we spoke to the chairman of the state committee on the affairs of Azeris living abroad," he said and thanked the Azerbaijani government for support, reports Trend news agency.