Ankara objects to discussion by French Senate of the bill criminalizing so-called “Armenian genocide” denial.
After it became known that the French Senate will discuss the bill criminalizing the so-called “Armenian genocide” denial on December 22, Turkish parliament decided to send a delegation to this country. APA’s Turkey bureau reports that the delegation led by chairman of Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs commission Volkan Bozkir will also include the representatives from Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
Parliamentarian from CHP, member of the foreign affairs commission Oktay Eksi told APA that France must withdraw its initiative.
“France claims to be a champion in freedom of speech, freedom of opinion. Criminalization of the denial of mistakes in its laws contradicts this claim of France. Those who rule France and those who impose restrictions on freedom of opinion must be ashamed,” he said.
Parliamentarian from MHP, member of the foreign affairs commission Tunca Toskay said this step of France is an illogical, groundless, subjective initiative against Turkey.
“They speak about the freedom of expression and at the same time threat to arrest those who prove that it did not happen. This can be a step taken to get the support of Armenians in the domestic policy, but it is unbecoming to the foreign policy of France. When Turkey started normalizing relations with Armenia, the government told the people that it is very effective. We all see what this policy has resulted in. Sargsyan says Turkish politicians will bow to the “Armenian genocide” monument. This is a great “success” of honorable Abdullah Gul and AKP. Soon after the protocols were signed, we objected to it and drew attention to three important points: Armenians must withdraw troops from the occupied territories and live at peace with Azerbaijan; must give up claims regarding Eastern Anatolia; demands regarding Turkey must be removed from Armenian Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. We said without this no relations can be established with Armenia. But under the pressure of the West, US, European Union the government has chosen this way and is now getting its bitters,” he said.
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