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Ambassador: Enactment of the bill making Armenian genocide denial punishable seem unconvincing

25 January 2007 13:26 (UTC +04:00)

- How do you appreciate Azerbaijan-France relations in political, economic and humanitarian spheres? Are there potentials for expanding these relations?
- Political relations between the two countries are excellent. I would especially like to note the end of 2006. The delegation representing 20 companies of Union of French Entrepreneurs MEDEF International visited Baku on December 5-6. Christian Estrosi Minister Delegate for Regional Development visited Azerbaijan within dynamic cooperation in the sphere of military defense on December 9-10. 2007 begins successfully. The meeting of economic commission of Azerbaijan and France was held on January 8-9 in Paris. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is expected to pay a visit to France at the end of January. This visit allows us to note the importance of bilateral relations for both countries. As to our economic relations, Azerbaijan is a state in the Caucasus that France has broad trade relations. Compared with 2005, bilateral trade turnover increased by 87% and reached EUR627 million within 9 months of 2006. France pays great attention to food and service sphere. We also have broad cultural relations. French Culture Center has been functioning in Baku since 2005 and this center plans to implement a number of cultural events in Baku this year. Azerbaijani Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfas Garayev visited France last year and met with his French counterpart. Culture days are expected to be held in both countries in 2007-2008.
- Is the visit date of the President of France Jacques Chirac fixed? How interesting is Azerbaijan for France?
- President Jacques Chirac is expected to visit Azerbaijan in the first half of 2007. It will be made exact after Azerbaijani Presidentâ€™s visit. Azerbaijan is the country in the region that we have very good relations in all spheres.
- When will the Senate discuss the bill making Armenian genocide denial punishable? What is your position on this bill?
- This is not a bill, but a law proposal put forward by the opposition. The law proposal should pass a long way in order to come into force. The proposal should be approved by the Senate and then signed by the President. But there is one more procedure. Constitutional Council can be appealed in order to examine if the proposal coincides with the Constitution of France. The proposal has not even included on the agenda of the Senate up to now and I think that there will be no voting until presidential elections. The proposal should be approved until the next presidential elections in order to come into force. It does not seem possible. /APA/