Ambassador: Turkey will never accept the bill criminalizing Armenian Genocide denial January 24, 2012 - 10:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish Ambassador to France Tahsin Burcuoğlu expressed concern that the adoption of the bill criminalizing Armenian Genocide “can cause a break in relations between France and Turkey.” “I will probably return to Turkey,” Burcuoğlu said, adding that his country “will never accept the bill.” He said the French Senate’s decision will have the most negative consequences, with Turkey, France and Armenia to suffer from it. On January 23 the French Senate passed the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial with 127 votes for 86 against. On December 22, 2011, the bill 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. Turkish authorities threatened France with breaking of ties in case of passing the bill. Moreover the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that he will never step foot in France if the Senate passes the draft law. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | 17 bridges collapse as a result of floods in Armenia As a result of floods in Armenia’s northern Lori and Tavush provinces, 17 bridges, including five large ones, have collapsed. Armenia: Top cleric to retain title as he bids to become interim PM Galstanyan said earlier that the interim government would be tasked with stopping the “destruction of our homeland”. Ex-mayor of Karabakh capital arrested in Yerevan Ex-mayor of the Nagorno-Karabakh city of Stepanakert David Sargsyan has been arrested for 20 days. 269 people evacuated amid severe floods in Armenia’s north According to the Interior Ministry, 269 people have been evacuated from their homes in Lori and Tavush provinces. |