YEREVAN. – The world powers demonstrated yet again that temporary interests are more important for them than fundamental principles, Armenia’s National Academy of Sciences Institute of Orientology Director, turkologist Ruben Safrastyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am, reflecting on French FM Laurent Fabius’ announcement that his country might not pass a new bill on criminalizing the Armenian Genocide’s denial.    

“If I recall, prior to becoming president, socialist [François] Hollande had pledged to continue this process. [But] Now, we see the opposite is happening. We regretfully record that once again occurred what our people have seen on numerous occasions throughout history,” stated Safrastyan.  

He expressed a view that the Armenian people need to continue pursuing this matter. In his words, this issue will become actual once again when new elections approach in France.  

“I have the impression that France’s policy toward Turkey is changing. Unlike [former French President Nicolas] Sarkozy, the socialists favor the accelerated development of Turkey’s European integration process. [And] In this sense, what happened with the Armenian bill is in fact a part of the general policy,” said Ruben Safrastyan.  

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, France will not have a new law criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide. French FM Laurent Fabius made this understood during Thursday’s news conference held after his meeting with Turkey’s FM Ahmet Davutoglu, Nouvelles d’Arménie informs.     

“It is impossible to remain on the same road. Otherwise, the result is apparent; it will be the same,” stated Fabius.

To note, however, on April 24, 2012, that is, on the Commemoration Day of the Armenian Genocide, French President François Hollande had affirmed, before the media, his readiness to examine a new text for such law.