PARIS. – President of the French Senate from the Socialists Jean-Pierre Bel said on Thursday that the bill on criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide is not ‘a memorial law’ and ‘will be supported by the Socialists,’ Nouvelles d`Arménie reports quoting France-Presse Agency.

“It is not a memorial bill. I belong to a political group which has such a position and I am loyal to it,” the Senator from Ariège told.

However, he was more reserved in Berlin on Jan. 12 stating that the Senate President has a special advantage that of not obliged to vote.

“The Commission on Constitution expressed its point of view, whereas there is time for debates and voting on Jan 23,” Bel said.

Senate will vote for the bill, submitted by UMP MP Valerie Boyer, on Jan. 23. It was adopted on Dec.22 by French National Assembly. Traditionally the Senate President does not vote, however, he may vote as well.