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Public Chamber: If Senate approves this draft law, it will be impossible for France to continue mediating and develop oil-gas cooperation

19 January 2012 13:54 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. Azerbaijanâ€™s Public Chamber, which is uniting several opposition parties, issued a statement against the French Senateâ€™s discussions over the draft law criminalizing the denial of so-called â€œArmenian genocideâ€. The statement reads: â€œHasty discussions over the draft law criminalizing the denial of so-called â€œArmenian genocideâ€ in the French Senate caused concern and angriness of the Azerbaijani society. An important part of the Azerbaijani lands was occupied by Armenians in the end of 20th and beginning of 21st century, hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani people were expelled from their lands as a result of ethnic cleansing and tens of thousands of civilians were killed by the Armenians. Azerbaijani people, who suffered from the Khojaly genocide, one of the centuryâ€™s tragedy, donâ€™t understand this step by the French parliament. Azerbaijani people donâ€™t accept it and strongly condemn it. Armeniansâ€™ unfair claims against their neighbors threaten the peace, national tolerance, peaceful co-existence and security in the region. These claims are the source of conflicts and enmity. Armeniansâ€™ claims are endless, there is no such country or people in the region that could avoid these unfair and groundless claimsâ€.

The statement says that this act which is contrary to the international obligations about fundamental human rights and freedoms is the returning to medieval obscurity which was overthrown by Great French Revolution: â€œThe Public Chamber considers that the situation occurred is directed not only against Turkey, but all the people of the region, especially Muslims and Turkic people and the adequate position must be shown to it. Every hostile act directed against Turkey is a hostile act against Azerbaijani state, Azerbaijani people and must be accepted in this form. Therefore, the Public Chamber considers that the reaction of the Azerbaijani government to this issue can not be considered adequate to the seriousness of this situation. Azerbaijani government must closely synchronize and coordinate its acts with Turkey. All possible steps should be taken for the prevention of development of the events with bad scenario. The Public Chamber reminds once again the necessity of holding an immediate high level meeting of Azerbaijan-Turkey Strategic Cooperation Council and pass joint decision on the situationâ€.

The Public Chamber considers that if the draft law is adopted, it will be impossible for France to continue its mediation in the settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, as well as continue and develop its cooperation in oil and gas sphere. The Public Chamber expresses hope that the French Senate will show loyalty to the progressive state system traditions and modern democratic cultural values of the French people, will show the wisdom to prevent the antidemocratic plan of Armenian lobby and their supporters.