Turkish media outlets are concerned that French Senate’s ratification of a bill penalizing the Armenian Genocide denial is an actual possibility. Some are certain that during his visit to Yerevan French President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed unequivocal intention to support the bill.

The publications explain Sarkozy’s position by an attempt to counter another presidential hopeful Francois Hollande who pledged to adopt the bill upon his election, while both are vying to garner Armenian community votes.

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.

Later, Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement, warning France against “unrecoverable steps.” “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 statement said.