During a press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian Lithuanian FM Audronius Azubalis voiced his stance on French Senate’s adoption of the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial.

“Sooner of later we will come face to face with history, giving fair assessment to the past. Otherwise there can be no peaceful relations. That’s why I support those politicians who stand for debate of historical events,” he stated.

For his part, Minister Nalbandian noted that the French draft law is not aimed against any country.

The two men further dwelled on Armenia-EU cooperation and Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, with Minister Ažubalis reaffirming Lithuania’s adherence to OSCE Minsk Group format.

On January 23, the French Senate passed the bill, initiated by a Deputy Valérie Boyer, 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.