The bill penalizing Armenian Genocide denial is part of a general French approach which “aims to penalize racist statements” or those that negate historical events, French Foreign Ministry spokesman stated.

At the same time, Bernard Valero noted, “Turkey is a very important partner and ally for France.”

“We attach major importance to our exchanges with Ankara, notably on international and regional subjects,” KUNA quoted Valero as saying.

A draft law envisaging a one-year prison sentence and 45,000 euro fine for denying the Armenian Genocide is due to go before French parliament next week.