Epress.am News from Armenia
In reaction to the French Senate’s approval of a bill that criminalizes denying genocide (including the Armenian Genocide), Turkey’s first lady Hayrünnisa Gül (pictured) has not invited Sabine Bili, the wife of French ambassador to Turkey Laurent Bili, to a lunch meeting, Today’s Zaman reports.
Gül will host a luncheon for female ambassadors, wives of ambassadors and female representatives of international organizations serving in Ankara.
Gül will deliver a speech welcoming 90 guests to the event, which will be held at the Çankaya presidential palace next Thursday.
Speaking to reporters at the 25th anniversary of the Zaman daily, Bili confirmed that his wife has not been invited to the lunch and called on Ankara to remain calm. “France attaches great importance to bilateral relations with Turkey. I will do my best to normalize the relationship, but it mostly depends on the Turkish government,” he added.