Chirac Apologized to Turkish Prime MinisterOctober 16, 2006 - 14:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - French President Jacques Chirac in a telephone conversation with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he felt sorry that the bill penalizing the Armenian Genocide denial was approved and added he would try his best to prevent it from becoming law. According to the French leader, the adoption in 2001 of the law recognizing the events of 1915-1917 as the Armenian Genocide was sufficient for establishing the historical truth. "The discussion on criminalization of the Armenian Genocide denial is rather rhetorical than juridical," Jacques Chirac said. At that he asserted that the Armenian Genocide recognition should be one of the conditions for EU accession. Meanwhile European Commission President José Manuel Barroso voiced anxiety over the slow process of reform in Turkey. He told BBC that Turkey will hardly become an EU member during earlier than in 15-20 years. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. Armenia calls for prohibiting threats of attacks on nuclear facilities Armenia has raised the need for a treaty prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes. Armenia says ready to extend nuclear plant’s lifetime by 10 years Armenia has taken necessary measures to extend the lifetime of its nuclear power plant until 2036. Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. |