POLITICS VERSUS HISTORY

72 French senators have turned to the French Constitutional Court with a demand to annul the law on he criminalization of the denial of the so-called "genocide of the Armenians". The signatures of 60 senators had to be collected to file such a petition.

Commenting on this decision by the French MPs, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said: "The MPs of a country with many centuries of democratic traditions have taken a true step towards the protection of their values."

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan expressed the hope that now "the process would take a normal turn".

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, for his part, noted that Ankara was closely monitoring the situation and is anticipating a just decision by the French Constitutional Court. Turkey's ambassador to Azerbaijan, Hulusi Kilic, spoke in an interview for our magazine about what Ankara's next steps might be.

- The French Senate passed a law making it a crime to deny the so-called "Armenian genocide" in the Ottoman Empire. Turkey's reaction was known and expected. What can be the next steps of Ankara, if the process takes an undesirable turn?

- I regret to note that France adopted a law which is contrary to fundamental human rights and freedom of expression. It's just a game by some politicians, and it shows the true face of modern France. In my view, it's a stain for France, and Turkey will prove the fallacy of this decision. We regard this as a sign of disrespect for Turkey. This is the business of historians, and politicians' interference is nothing other than a political game.

Now we await the decision of the Constitutional Court and hope that the process is completed as we expect. Slander against our people will be eliminated, and along with that, France will get rid of this stain. In itself, this behaviour by France causes well-known suspicions. So, if it doesn't give up the decision, Turkey will be forced to resort to economic sanctions.

- According to the notorious law, the denial of the fictitious "Armenian genocide" entails a fine of 45,000 euros or a year's imprisonment. You already said that it's a violation of human rights. It turns out that Turks or Azerbaijanis living in France are forced to recognize the "genocide" against their convictions and will?

- That is why France must rescind its decision. They need to think carefully once again and not to promote enmity and hatred between peoples. French politicians, who exceeded their powers, must take responsibility for further developments.

- The French Foreign Ministry called on Turkey to refrain from an overly strong reaction to what is happening. A statement by the French Foreign Ministry even calls Turkey "a very important ally" of France ...

- What else can they do? I should repeat that history should be dealt with by historians and politics - by politicians. And they must do this so that problems do not arise. This is an ordinary insult to the Turkish nation by France. With this step, France can do great harm to regional stability.

- By the way, Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandyan said that the day when the notorious law is adopted in France will be written in golden letters in the history of human rights.

- It's too early to say what will be inscribed on the history of human rights in golden letters. Let the Armenians not hurry. If France is so impartial, let them assess the events of 20 years ago - the massacre of Xocali, which took place before the eyes of the world and has not been forgotten yet. The violated rights of about one million Azerbaijanis, who were expelled from their native lands, have still not been restored. Without solving these problems today, it is wrong to condemn Turkey for a war that happened a century ago.

- Azerbaijan sides with Turkey in this matter. Baku condemned the actions of the French Senate. How do you assess Azerbaijan's position?

- Very highly. The presidential administration, the Foreign Ministry and the ruling party issued statements that showed the unity of our peoples to the world. I am grateful to everyone - from ordinary citizens to politicians and MPs.