Turkey has condemned the French Senate's passage of the bill outlawing denial of the Armenian Genocide, slamming it as “irresponsible and disrespectful” and vowing to take retaliatory steps.

"We strongly condemn this decision which is... an example of irresponsibility," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that the government will “swiftly implement retaliatory measures.”

“The decision made by the Senate is a great injustice and shows total lack of respect for Turkey," Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin told the CNN-Turk television.

The bill passed the French Senate with 127 votes for and 86 against on Jan.23. It will impose a 45,000 euro fine and a year in prison for anyone in France who publicly denies the Armenian Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire.