Adoption of Genocide Bill Only First StepOctober 12, 2006 - 16:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Adoption of the bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide was quite expected, Head of the Department of Turkey of the NAS of RA, Doctor Ruben Safrastyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. In his words, the passage of the bill evidences that the public and political forces of Europe understand that Turkey may become an EU member only in case it opens the dark pages of its history. «The country should find the courage to face the past and accept it properly,» Safrastyan said.In his turn Head of Hay Dat Office Kiro Manoyan underscored in a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter that the adoption of the Genocide bill is only the first step. «Ratification in the Senate is the next, while the President has to sign it after that. I do not think serious problems may arise in the Senate,» Manoyan remarked. As for the threats by Turkey, the Head of Hay Dat Office underscored that expected sanctions against France will hit as a boomerang upon Turkey itself. «I believe that statements of the Turkish party within the past week are bluff. It is in its own interest to recognize the Armenian Genocide if it really wants to become an EU member,» Manoyan said. Top stories Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Partner news | Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State to travel to Armenia Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs James C. O’Brien will travel to Yerevan on June 10-12. Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life, Strong Mind IDBank and Idram summarize the results of the May program of “The Power of One Dram”. |