Paris cannot cast shadow on Azerbaijan-Turkey solidarity

A bill criminalizing denial of the so-called "Armenian genocide" adopted by the French Senate on Jan. 23 and which contradicts freedom of speech and expression is expected to be approved by the country's President Nicolas Sarkozy in 15 days.

After the bill was submitted to the Senate for discussion, some Turkish and French media reports, unfortunately, appeared saying reportedly adoption of the bill on the so-called "Armenian genocide", which relies on ill imagination, is Turkey's internal affair and unlike Ankara, Baku will keep silent about this issue.

In fact, damaging the Azerbaijan-Turkey brotherhood was the key target of this media, serving Armenia and Armenian lobby's interests.

In reality, adoption of such a bill at the French parliament contradicts both Turkey's and Azerbaijan's interests.

Furthermore, French Senate's unilateral steps that seriously contradict principles of democracy, human rights, freedom of speech and expression can lead to unpleasant results, in addition to seriously hurting this country's involvement in some regional processes.

The decision of the French parliamentarians, who neglect violation of about one million Azerbaijanis' rights and occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory as a result of Armenian aggression at the end of 20th century, casts doubt on France's impartiality.
At least, because France is member of the OSCE Minsk Group and acts as mediator in resolving such a delicate issue in the region like Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.

Therefore, Baku cannot be indifferent to this issue, and Azerbaijani officials have strongly protested French parliament's decision.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry was the first to officially protest it. The Ministry strongly condemned French Senate's unwise step.

In addition to the Foreign Ministry, ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) strongly condemned French parliament's decision. NAP Deputy Chairman and Executive Secretary Ali Ahmadov said in his statement that France evidently acts as Armenia's defender.

Ahmadov also stressed that the critical approaches in Azerbaijan against France may rise to the level of calls to debar this country from co-chairmanship in the Minsk Group.
After the statement of the Azerbaijani ruling party, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told local media outlets that Ankara supports debarring France from co-chairmanship in the OSCE Minsk Group.

He also stressed that Paris has lost its impartiality adopting the bill, which criminalizes denial of the so-called "Armenian genocide".

Of course, that was not the end of Azerbaijan's protest to the French parliament, and the country's political and public circles protested France's pro-Armenian decision.
A statement made by the Azerbaijani parliament was a lesson of history to Paris. Thus, Azerbaijan strongly protested the steps against Turkey both in political and public plane.

If to have a look at the history, we can witness that Turkey and Azerbaijan have supported each other in many issues.

In fact, the similar statements by Azerbaijani and Turkish officials are a message to those, who want to damage the two countries' relations, that these countries are inseparable strategic collaborators and will further continue this policy.

Adoption of the bill criminalizing the denial of the so-called "Armenian genocide" by the French Senate enables to say that the parliament changed the republic's motto "Freedom, Equality and Fraternity" to a new motto "Slavery, Inequality and Enmity".



Rufiz Hafizoglu /Trend/