Armenian Foreign Minister: this day will be written in gold letters in Armenian-French friendship

YEREVAN, January 24. /ARKA/. Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan announced about the adoption of criminalization of denial of Armenian genocide by French Senate and expressed his gratitude to France for this decision.

“This day will be written in gold not only in the history of friendship between the Armenian and French peoples, but also in the annals of the history of the protection of human rights worldwide, and will further consolidate the existing mechanisms of prevention of crimes against humanity”, said Nalbandyan.

He said that France re-affirmed its pivotal role as a genuine defender of universal human values.

“I would like once again to express our gratitude to the President of the French Republic, the Senate, the National Assembly, the Government and the friendly people of France”, he said.

He also noted that today's Senate decision is the logical continuation of the law recognizing the Armenian Genocide adopted by France in 2001.

On Monday, Senate of France adopted the draft law on criminal punishment of genocides, including Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire.

The document envisaging punishment in prison and a fine of 45 thousand euros for the denial of genocide was adopted by the lower house of French Parliament – National Assembly on December 22.

The adopted draft law should be signed by the President of France.

Armenian Genocide of 1915 was the first genocide of 20th century. Turkey traditionally refuses the genocide of Armenians during the First World War and painfully reacts on the critic from the West. Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, Parliament of Italy and majority of United States. 

On March 4 the Committee on international issues of US Congress adopted resolution №252 about recognition of Armenian genocide which calls the President of United States to make efforts for the adoption of worthy decision about the issues related to human rights and Armenian genocide. On March 11 the fact of Armenian Genocide was recognized also by the Parliament of Sweden. —0--