French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish deputy of parliament Garo Paylan met at the annual banquet of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France in Paris.
During the event, the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, presented Garo Paylan with the Grand Vermeil Medal.
The Armenian-Turkish deputy was applauded by 500 people who were present at the event.
Anne Hidalgo thanked Garo for what his endeavors calling him a hero of democracy, a hero who defends human rights. Every time he needs them, the Armenians will be by his side, and Paris will be next to him, she assured.
Representatives of the Jewish community, a French lawyer, historian and a fighter for exposing and punishing Nazi criminals Serge Klarsfeld and his wife Beate were also present at the meeting.
In his speech Klarsfeld said they have always been close to the Armenian people and they are fighting for Israel’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide. He expressed hope that the law criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide will also be adopted in France.
