Turkey indignant over Sarkozy’s statement on Armenian GenocideOctober 7, 2011 - 17:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey said France should “confront its colonial past before giving lessons to others on how to face history,” in an angry response Friday, October 7, to a call by President Nicolas Sarkozy for Ankara to recognize the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Sarkozy, in Armenia Thursday, challenged Turkey - which is seeking membership of the European Union - to face up to its past and threatened to pass a law in France that would make denying the Genocide a crime. “Collective negation is a more serious problem than an individual one. Unless Turkey follows the suit of other great nations in recognizing the Armenian Genocide before yearend, France will take serious steps, including criminalization of Genocide denial,” Mr. Sarkozy said. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told a news conference: "Those who will not be able to face their own history for having carried out colonialism for centuries, for treating foreigners as second-class people, do not have the right to teach Turkey a history lesson or call for Turkey to face its history." Davutoglu said Turkey and Armenia “were working together on ways to normalize ties and Sarkozy's comments would have a negative impact on reconciliation efforts,” Reuters reports. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |