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Armenia calls on its diaspora in France to vote in favor of EU

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  • Armenia calls on its diaspora in France to vote in favor of EU

    Armenia calls on its diaspora in France to vote in favor of EU constitution

    AP Worldstream
    May 25, 2005


    Armenia urged its expatriates living in France _ the country's third
    biggest foreign diaspora _ to vote in favor of the European Union
    constitution, saying it will strengthen France's role in European
    politics.

    "The French "yes" will further strengthen France's position on the
    European arena, which will also be advantageous for us, since France
    has always supported an international discussion of Armenian
    questions," Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian said at a news
    conference.

    France is home to an estimated 500,000 Armenians.

    France votes on the EU constitution on Sunday, with the latest polls
    suggesting a slim majority of voters will reject the new treaty. The
    document is meant to simplify how the 25-nation bloc makes decisions
    and bolster its role on the world stage. Observers warn however, that
    the project is likely to fail if France rejects it.

    Oskanian urged Armenians to vote "yes" in the referendum despite fears
    by several Armenian groups in France that it may bring Turkey,
    Armenia's longtime foe, closer to EU membership.

    "I completely understand the concern shared by many French and
    Armenians living in France about Turkey's possible (EU) membership,"
    Oskanian said. "However, we do not see a link between the referendum
    on the European Constitution and Turkey's membership."

    Armenians say some 1.5 million were killed in a campaign of genocide
    by the Ottoman Empire authorities at the time of World War I. Turkey
    says the death count is inflated, and that the Armenians were killed
    or displaced in the civil unrest during the collapse of the Ottoman
    Empire. Armenia insists Turkey cannot become an EU member until it
    acknowledges genocide.
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