The law criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide should be finally adopted Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe said in the City Hall on April 24 during the traditional event dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

The struggle against genocide denial attempts must be won, he said. Delanoe also noted the invaluable role of Parisians of Armenian origin in the history of the city, in particular, the contribution of Misak Manushian to the French Resistance, which was one of the most important historical manifestations of Armenian-French brotherhood.

Following the mayor, the co-chairs of the Council of Armenian Organizations of France Franck Papazian and Ara Toranyan came up with speeches. The French Armenians repeated the claim to the highest French authorities concerning the importance of the law criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide. The Council presented the medal of courage to Turkish intellectual Erol Ozakora who was present at the event, for the fight against denial of the Armenian Genocide in Turkey.

In his speech at the event the Armenian Ambassador to France Vigen Chitechyan stressed the importance of the acknowledgement of past.

“Without remembering the past, you cannot construct the future, as the future, which is constructed on the denial of the past, rather than on the realization, is insecure,” said the envoy.

For long-term peaceful coexistence, he added, Turkey will first need to look in the face of historical fact, following the advice of progressive Turkish intelligentsia.

The event was attended by hundreds of French citizens, including those of Armenian origin.