Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan issued a message to his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy regarding adoption of the bill penalizing Armenian Genocide denial by French National Assembly.

President Sargsyan expressed gratitude for France’s commitment to human values, assessing passing of the bill as a vivid proof of Armenian-French friendship and French President’s adherence to reconciliation between nations, presidential press service reported.

On December 22, French National Assembly passed the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial.

The draft law envisages a year in jail and a fine of 45,000 euros for those who publicly deny the Armenian Genocide in France.