YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS: For becoming a powerful state Turkey must face its history, President of France Nicolas Sarkozy stated at the meeting with the representatives of the Jewish Union of France, Armenpress reports, citing Nouvelles d'Armenie.

"Every time when a Jewish is being offended in the territory of our republic, it leaves a spot on our flag. Aggression against one Jewish is not the issue of French Jewish only but the issue of 65 million of French people. It is not a community but national issue," Sarkozy said.

Referring to the criminalization of denial of the Armenian Genocide, President of France noted that different comments have been voiced in connection with it. "Turkey is a big state, it is a big civilization. But for being really powerful each must view its history. It is necessary to view both dark and bright pages of the history," Sarkozy stressed.

"It will be more honorable for Turkey to review its own history. We are telling it to Turkey as a friend state," President of France added.

Addressing to the representatives of the Jewish community President of France asked them what they would have felt if it was allowed to deny Holocaust. "We do not allow it. It is not an issue of preference but issue of convictions," Sarkozy concluded.