April 4, 2015 - 10:07 AMT
Turkey says Cyprus’ Genocide denial law “null and void”

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic has said Cypriot law on banning denial of Armenian Genocide is “not worth of commenting,” according to Massis Post.

Bilgic said in a statement that “the decision is null and void for Turkey and not worthy of comment.”

“It is without doubt that those who try to exploit the 1915 incidents at every opportunity by using simple political ambitions cannot get any result,” Anadolu Agency quoted Bilgic as saying.

On Thursday, April 2, the Cypriot parliament unanimously adopted a law, making it a crime to deny the Armenian Genocide.

The bill, which was jointly submitted by all political parties to the Greek Cypriot parliament, can impose a five-year imprisonment and fine of €10,000 to those who deny the Genocide.

Armenian National Assembly (NA) delegation led by NA President Galust Sahakyan has met with President Nicos Anastasiades of Cyprus and expressed gratitude to the House of Representatives of Cyprus for adoption of the bill.

Anastasiades, for his part, noted that Cyprus has been and will always remain Armenia’s brotherly country, and it will use its powers to assist its friendship country.

The Cypriot president also reaffirmed his participation in the forthcoming Armenian Genocide centennial commemorations.