Armenian FM: “Turkey’s statements smell corruption”
Turkey's critical statements about the adoption of the bill criminalizing Armenian Genocide denial by the French National Assembly are weak and empty, Armenian Foreign Minister told a press conference on January 16.
"The adoption of the bill cannot affect Armenian-Turkish relations. The only thing that can hinder the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations is Turkey's stance which is well known to the international community," said Edward Nalbandian.
With regard to the opponents' statements that the bill might affect the implementation of economic projects in the region, Mr. Nalbandian said ‘their arguments smell corruption.'
This is an attempt to blackmail and even bribe foreigners. I do not think that universal values can be replaced by or subordinate to certain interests, especially those made by Turkey," said the Armenian Foreign Minister.
On December 23, 2011, French National Assembly passed a bill criminalizing public denial of the Armenian Genocide. If signed into law, the bill would impose a 45,000 euro fine and a year in prison for anyone in France who denies this crime against humanity committed by the Ottoman Empire.
