Reflecting on the French Senate’s passing of the bill that criminalizes the denial of genocides, including the Armenian Genocide, Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu noted, during a television program, that France’s participation as a co-chairing country in the OSCE Minsk Group, which deals with the Karabakh issue, needs to be questioned.   

Recalling the three co-chairing countries—US, France, and Russia—Davutoglu said they do understand Russia’s and Unites States’ roles in the Karabakh issue, but they do not understand France’s role, Hurriyet daily of Turkey informs.

“The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict’s consequences have impacted two countries: Russia and Turkey. [French President Nicolas] Sarkozy stayed in Armenia for two days, whereas for two hours, in Azerbaijan. It is impossible to conduct a normal mediation under such conditions. Either Turkey likewise must be among the co-chairs, or France should not be there,” Turkish FM said, adding that the question of France’s future OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship must be discussed.