Turkey accused French presidential candidates Nicolas Sarkozy and Fracois Hollande of using the Armenian Genocide issue to attract more votes of the Armenian community ahead of runoff in France’s presidential election.

The foreign ministry said in a statement said remarks of the candidates on the 1915 events is another example of speculation over disputable historic issues in the political interests.

Ankara urges French politicians to be more reserved in their remarks adding that such statements damage peace efforts in the region.

On April 24 both candidates participated in commemoration events dedicated to 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide condemning this crime against humanity.