PARIS. – Armenian Genocide is a reality. We cannot neglect it. Turkey is also aware of it, but rejects it because of political reasons.

French President Nikolas Sarkozy said it on Friday in Armenia in response to the Turkish Hurriyet newspaper whether it was a sincere remark or was based on other reasons that Turkey should recognize the Genocide.

“I told Turkey’s PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan as well. I believe France has an important mission in this issue. Germany and France, after the Holocaust, became two closest allies in Europe. Reconciliation requires courage. Turkey must recognize the Armenian Genocide,” Sarkozy stated.