Genocide Bill Aimed at Preventing Turkey EU Accession?

PanARMENIAN.Net - «We are happy and content that the bill [on criminal penalty for denial of the Armenian Genocide] is adopted exactly in the version that was presented at the very beginning,» stated member of the Board of Armenian Organizations of France Alexis Govchian. In his opinion the adoption of the bill will again raise the issue of the Genocide at the international arena, including in Turkey. «In the coming years launching a real dialogue will be possible. The bill is only one step. The work in Senate should continue,» he said.



In his turn Hall Gardner from the American University of Paris believes that the Armenian lobby is very strong in France, but there is also the issue of Turkey's accession to the EU. «The vote specifically was aimed at creating obstacles on Turkey's way to EU. Maybe there is a human rights factor, but the EU matter is more serious,» he underscored.



In the opinion of representatives of business circles, economic consequences from adoption of the bill will depend on Turkey's response, which may mean not admitting France to tenders announced by Turkish Government.



Even if the decision becomes a law, how will it be executed? How can courts fight against thousands of Turks, who are French citizens and deny the Armenian Genocide,» Gizem Oztok from Sabanci University of Istanbul stated October 12. Meanwhile, the CNN Turk and Milliyett commentator Semi Idiz forecasts that in spite the French-Turkish relations may become tense, upon passage of some time everything will restore, reports RFE/RL.