September 6, 2007 - 15:46 AMT
Armenian Genocide bill to be put on French Senate agenda in October
"Relations between Armenia and France are very firm not only at the state level. We have enjoyed friendly ties with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun for a long time," First Secretary of the French Socialist Party Francois Hollande told a news conference in Yerevan.
"French socialists have done much for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by France. In 2001, we were the authors of the Armenian Genocide bill, which was passed by both houses of the parliament. We have also initiated the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial. It was passed by the lower house and is waiting for voting in the Senate," Mr Hollande said.
He underscored that the main purpose of the visit is the establishment of closer cooperation between Armenia and France. "We discussed the topic with the Armenian President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister," he said.
The delegation of the French Socialist Party is in Armenia by invitation of ARF Dashnaktsutyun. Both parties are members of the Socialist International.