Turkey says ties with France dealt severe blow

ANKARA, Oct 12 (Reuters) A French parliamentary vote supporting a bill on the alleged genocide of Armenians by Ottoman Turks has dealt Turkish-French ties a severe blow, Turkey's Foreign Ministry said tday.

''French-Turkish relations, which have developed over centuries... have been dealt a severe blow today as a result of the irresponsible false claims of French politicians who do not see the political consequences of their actions,'' the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry did not say whether Turkey, which is seeking European Union membership, would take any retaliatory measures against France, a founder member of the EU.

REUTERS MQA BS1624