YEREVAN. Secretary of Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Eduard Sharmazanov expressed regret over the decision by the French Senate to reject the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide under Ottoman Empire in 1915.

“As a citizen and RPA member I regret that the French Senate rejected the bill. However, the day will come when all countries, not only the European Union, but the former CIS states, the world will adopt similar bills, following Switzerland’s lead,” Sharmazanov told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“The EU should serve an example on the issue, as European values strongly condemn such crimes against humanity. We will step up efforts to achieve success,” he noted.

French Senate rejected the bill penalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire with 196 votes “against” and 74 “for”.

On October 12, 2006, the French National Assembly approved a bill penalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide. The bill needed the Senate’s consideration to be enforced.

Denial of the Armenian Genocide is considered a crime in Switzerland. Presently the issue is on the agenda of several EU states.