Turkish Foreign Minster started making excuses to the international community following the passage of the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial.

“Turkey never based its policy on ethnic or religious affiliation,” Anadolu quoted Ahmet Davutoğlu as saying.

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.

The bill is believed to take effect in France within two weeks, after it will be signed by President.