French Senate passes Genocide bill January 24, 2012 - 01:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The French Senate passed the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial with 127 votes for 86 against. On December 22, 2011, the bill was adopted by the French National Assembly. Passed by the Senate, the bill will 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. Turkish authorities repeatedly threatened France with breaking of ties, with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stating that he will never step foot in France in event the Senate passes the draft law. Meanwhile, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero stated that “France attaches great importance to bilateral ties with Turkey particularly regarding international and regional issues.” Top stories The CSTO budget for the current year requires adjustments due to the refusal of Yerevan to pay their share of contributions. Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. Partner news | Armenia Security Council chief to attend Ukraine peace summit Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will take part in the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland. Armenian govt. approves ratification of EAEU-Iran free trade deal At a meeting on Friday, June 14, the Armenian government approved the ratification of an EAEU free trade agreement with Iran. Armenia recalls Belarus envoy for consultations Armenian Ambassador to Belarus has been called to Yerevan for consultations, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry reveals. Armenia denies Azerbaijan's ceasefire accusations The Armenian Defense Ministry has denied Azerbaijan's accusations of violating the ceasefire. |