Adoption of a bill penalizing Armenian Genocide denial is an “event of pan-European importance,” according to Caucasus Institute director.

At news conference in Yerevan, Alexander Iskandaryan expressed confidence for French President Nicolas Sarkozy to sign the bill into law, thus signalling a new stage for Genocide recognition campaign.

“The passage of the bill will be followed by a “parade of Genocide recognitions,” Genocide Museum Institute director Hayk Demoyan noted, in turn.

On January 23, the French Senate passed the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial with 127 votes for and 86 against. To be signed into law within 14 days, 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.