France will not gain from the adoption of the law that will envisage a criminal responsibility for a denial of the Armenian Genocide, Bernard du Chaffaut, France`s Ambassador to Azerbaijan told during the press-conference held today.
He pointed out that France`s National Assembly is expected to put forward this draft which was initiated by France`s Socialist Party for the Parliament`s discussion.
The French Ambassador underlined that if even the national Assembly adopts this draft, it will not speak that it will certainly put into force. The Senate`s adoption is also needed for this aim. And even if the Senate adopts the draft, that will not be an official position of the French Government.
The French diplomat also pointed out that the adoption of the law cannot have an influence on France`s relations with Turkey and many countries, including Azerbaijan. This position will not have any influence on Turkey`s joining EU, and it should be mentioned that President Jack Shirak voted pro Turkey`s affiliating to the organization. He also added that according to French laws, the President has no right to veto any bill adopted by the legislative body of the country. France has the analogical law concerning Holocaust.
Commenting expressions concerning the demands to expel France from the team of the Co-Chairs of OSCE Minsk Group on the Azerbaijani-Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, Mr. Chaffaut said that French Co-Chairman Bernard Fasier represents France`s Government, not its Parliament. Therefore, in his opinion, France`s expelling from the organization is out of the question. Moreover, neither Azerbaijan`s President nor its Foreign Office have not made any announcement in this connection, he told.
French Ambassador: Adoption of an Armenian Genocide Law at French Parliament Not to Have an Influence on OSCE`s Activity
