PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC OF FRANCE ARRIVING IN ARMENIA TODAY
By Tamar Minasian

AZG Armenian Daily #185
29/09/2006

At the invitation of president Robert Kocharian, president Jacques
Chirac of France is arriving in Yerevan 29 Sept evening. According
to RA President’s Press Office, the French delegation will include
Philippe Douste-Blazy, foreign minister, Dominique Perben, minister
for transport, infrastructure, tourism and the sea, Christian Jacob,
minister for the civil service, and Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres,
minister for culture and communications. Jacques Chirac will also
be accompanied by businessmen, representatives of science, culture,
education and sport, members of the French-Armenian community and
journalists.

During the two-day official visit, the French delegation will visit
the Memorial of Armenian Genocide. His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos
of All Armenians will also receive the French president.

Tomorrow morning the Armenian and French presidents will take part
in the opening of the French Square downtown Yerevan. Later that day
world famous Charles Aznavour and his friends will perform a concert
at the Republic Square. The legendary singer arrived in Yerevan on
Sept 27. "Even if I am worn out, I will come to the Republic Square in
a cheerful mood because it’s a present for my people," Aznavour said
at the airport. "My visit is also important as Armenia is celebrating
15th anniversary of independence. The independence of my country is
the same for me as it is for every Armenian."

This will be the beginning of the Year of Armenia in France that
bears the title "Armenia, My Friend."