French Parliament accepts bill on so-called ‘Armenian genocide’

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 22 / Trend A. Tagiyeva / On Thursday, the French parliament accepted the bill on criminal prosecution for the denial of the so-called "Armenian genocide", TV channel CNN Turk reported. The French parliament is set to vote on a piece of legislation that could make denying the 1915 events that took place in Turkey as "genocide" punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros. Earlier, Turkish President Abdullah Gul stated that Turkey hopes that France will not sacrifice long-term friendship between Ankara and Paris for the sake of petty political settlements. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkish-French relations should not depend on third party's demands, and if the French Senate approves the bill Turkey will respond with all diplomatic means. Members from the French President's party "Union for Popular Movement", representing the parliamentary majority, presented the bill to the legislative committee of the National Assembly in early December. It aims to introduce criminal punishment for denial of the so-called "Armenian genocide". Armenia and its lobby claim the Turkish Republic's predecessor, the Ottoman Empire, committed genocide against Armenians in Anatolia in 1915. Pressured by Armenian propaganda, the parliaments of a number of countries have recognized the so-called "1915 genocide". Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az