EU had to react to France, says EU Minister Bagis

DAVOS (A.A) - Turkish Minister for European Union (EU) Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said Saturday that the EU had to react to France after the French Senate adopted an Armenian bill on January 23. Speaking to the AA in Davos, Egemen Bagis said that the EU should have reacted both to France, which dealt a blow to freedom of expression with an Armenian bill adopted at its senate, and Denmark, a country still refusing to shut down Roj TV after a Danish court defined that channel as the voice of a terrorist organization. The French Senate on January 23 adopted an Armenian bill that criminalizes the denial of Armenian allegations pertaining to the incidents of 1915. Touching on Turkey and its growing influence in the world, Minister Bagis said that he never witnessed such an interest on Turkey in Davos before. Turkey's recent successful economic performance, foreign policies and its role in the region have given Turkey a special place in Davos. We talk about the positive changes taking place in Turkey with great pride, Bagis stressed. Minister Bagis is in Davos, Switzerland attending the World Economic Forum (WEF).