YEREVAN. – Turkey should recognize the Armenian Genocide to avoid repetition of the tragic events worldwide, French senator said during their visit to the Armenian National Assembly.

Phillippe Kaltenbach headed the delegation of Armenia-France Friendship Group that held a meeting with Armenian parliament speaker Galust Sahakyan.

Speaking about bilateral ties, Kaltenbach stressed that the Armenian-French relations date back to the origins of the historical memory of the two nations.

For his part, Galust Sahakyan noted that France has a special place on Armenia's foreign policy agenda. He stressed that the historical and cultural ties and the presence of a large and influential Armenian community in France are major factors that influenced the development of intergovernmental relations between Armenia and France. Sahakyan also emphasized the special importance of France-Karabakh Friendship Circle. He expressed hope that the French Senate will be consistent in adoption of the bill criminalizing  Armenian Genocide denial.

During their Armenia trip, the French delegation also visited Armenian Genocide Memorial and the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute.