BAGIS CRITICIZED FRANCE’S DRAFT LAW

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis declared that the draft law tried to be brought to the agenda of the French Parliament, regarding the events of 1915 was a concern of not only Turkey but also the French firms carrying out business in the region with or through Turkey. He also pointed out that the draft law would be brought to the agenda on the anniversary of the death of Turkish diplomat Yilmaz Colpan who was murdered by Asala.

In his statement in the channel Haberturk, Minister for EU Affairs Egemen Bagis commented on the draft law seeking to criminalize the denying of Armenian claims regarding the events of 1915. Bagis also said: “This draft law is an absurd, preposterous law trying to restrict the freedom of expression in France and to prevent or even prohibit the people to present new historical findings.”

Bagis said: "This is a concern of not only Turkey but also the French firms carrying out business in the region with or through Turkey” and he recalled that Turkey’s reaction would be strong in the event of the adoption of the draft law. Bagis underlined that Turkey was not only an important ally of France but also a market and a partner. Moreover, stating that Turkey was also important for France to reach most of the energy sources which Europe needed, Bagis pointed out that Turkey was a key country for the ageing Europe.

Bagis declared that the mentioned draft law would disturb not only Turkey which was a market of 74 million but also the Muslim citizens of France. He added that %11 of France’s population was composed of Moroccan, Tunisian and Algerian people and they were closely following the draft law. Bagis added:

"This draft law can be a manoeuvre of Mr. Sarkozy before the upcoming elections or the manoeuvre of some circles in hypnoia within his party.  Previously, some French parliamentarians had also attempts regarding the issue. However, wisdom prevailed in the end. We hope that French business world and French wisemen will exert their authority and give  priority to the interests of France. If they give  priority to the interests of France, they will remove the draft law off the agenda promptly.”

Minister for EU Affairs, Bagis recalled that the draft law would be brought to the agenda on 22 December and he pointed to the importance of that date. Bagis stated that December, 22 was the 32nd anniversary of the death of Yilmaz Colpan who was martyred by Asala, terrorist organization.   Bagis also said:

"In fact, France should have apologized to Turkey at that day and say: ‘We could not protect a Turkish diplomat. We were unfortunately a mere spectator of his assassination by Armenian terrorists.’ Contrary to this, France charges Turkey, and prohibits claiming otherwise. This is completely a preposterous attempt."

On 22 December 1979, Paris Tourism Counsellor Yilmaz Colpan was murdered by an Armenian terrorist.  This was the second attack of the Armenian terrorism in Paris. On 24 October 1975, Ambassador, İsmail Erez and his driver, Talip Yener were also murdered by the Asala terrorist organization.