YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS:

The bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide is addressed toward protection of human rights and not against any country, MP Valérie Boyer who presented the bill to the Senate told Nouvelles d'Arménie periodical, Armenpress reports. "I am shocked with the activities of the Turkish side over the bill. Today the basis of Turkey's diplomacy is threat which is already an outdated practice in diplomacy. The recent steps of Turkey are being viewed as an attempt to interfere into France's policy. They can only reinforce the opinion and determination of the MPs to adopt the bill," she said.

If adopted the bill envisages 1 year of imprisonment and 45 thousand euros' fine in case of denial of the Armenian Genocide. It will be put for voting in the Senate December 22.

During the recent days Turkish authorities are threatening France with the suspension of all the joint economic programs and projects in case of the adoption of the bill.