Brussels, 29/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu suggested to French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday 29 February that he should not bring forward a new Bill penalising denial of the Armenian genocide after an initial law had been annulled by the French constitutional council the previous day. “Sarkozy has already pushed things a bit too far. If he continues, it will look as if he is declaring war on French culture, French law and the French rule of law”, Davutoglu said, stating that Sarkozy had already “declared war on freedom of expression and history”. He indicated, however, that retaliatory measures taken or planned against France were likely to be abandoned.
On Tuesday, the French constitutional council ruled that the law penalising denial of the genocide of Armenians by Turks in 1915 curbed freedom of speech. The Turkish Embassy in France welcomed the decision “with satisfaction”. “This provides hope for the future of relations. … We note this decision with satisfaction”, said Embassy spokesman Engin Solakoglu, indicating that the decision still had to be fully assessed. Sarkozy announced immediately that he was looking to bring forward a new Bill. (CG/transl.rt)