Turkey slams French committee for Armenian Genocide bill adoption

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey reacted to adoption of the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial that was adopted last week by a French parliamentary committee.

“At a moment when Turkey and France have entered into a process in which they could increase their cooperation at bilateral and international level, we hope no unrecoverable steps will be taken,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement over the weekend. “The French administration is well aware of how sensitive this issue is to us,” it said, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

On December 7, the Judiciary Committee of the French National Assembly passed the bill on criminalization of the Armenian Genocide denial introduced by MP Valerie Boyer (UMP).

The bill envisages a 45,000 euros fine and a one-year imprisonment for the denial of the Armenian Genocide, which was recognized by France back in 2001.

During a visit to Yerevan in October 2011, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has urged Turkey to recognize the Genocide.

“Turkey has had "enough [time] for reflection since the mass killings began in 1915. If Turkey revisited its history and looked face-to-face at the shadows and the light, it would be sufficient to recognize the genocide. If Turkey does not do this, then without a doubt it will be necessary to go further," Sarkozy said.