Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed Nicolas Sarkzoy for his recent remarks calling on Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Speaking at the meeting of Justice and Development Party’s parliamentary group, Erdogan said his remarks were a part of election campaign.

Recalling that there are nearly 600,000 Armenians in France, but also 500,000 Turks in France, he accused the French president of disregarding his country’s relations with Turkey for such “minor calculations”, Today’s Zaman writes.

“Holding the title of a statesman requires thinking about future generations, not future elections,” Turkish PM said adding the French leader should keep his advice to himself.    .

During his visit to Armenia, Nicolas Sarkozy slammed Turkey for not recognizing the Armenian Genocide, adding France should adopt a law prosecuting the denial of Armenian Genocide in case Turkey refuses to acknowledge its past.