KOCHAIAN, CHIRAC OPEN FRANCE SQUARE IN YEREVAN

Mediamax news agency, Yerevan,
30 Sep 06

Yerevan, 30 September. The Armenian and French presidents, Robert
Kocharyan and Jacques Chirac, opened today the France Square in the
centre of Yerevan – at the intersection of Sayat-Nova and Mashtots
avenues.

Mediamax reports that before the beginning of the ceremony the Armenian
and French national anthems were played, and then Yerevan mayor
Yervand Zakharyan read out the decision of the city authorities on
the opening the France Square "in the heart of Armenia’s capital city".

In his speech, Robert Kocharyan spoke about the Armenian people’s
deep gratitude to France and its people for their support and
assistance. The Armenian president recalled that the law on recognition
and condemnation of the Armenian genocide had been passed in France
in 2001. Kocharyan said that France and Jacques Chirac personally
were playing a constructive role in the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict
settlement. He stressed that France rendered Armenia priceless
assistance in the process of European integration.

On behalf of the French people, Jacques Chirac thanked the Armenian
authorities for the decision to open the France Square in Yerevan. He
said that the square would symbolized friendly Armenian-French
relations. The French president said that his official visit to
Yerevan was "evidence of my confidence in Armenia and its future".

Talking about the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict settlement, Chirac urged
Yerevan and Baku to make "the final steps" required for achieving
peace. "Today, I believe that there is a possibility of achieving
peace," the French president stressed.

Robert Kocharyan and Jacques Chirac concluded their speeches with
words "Long live France! Long live Armenia! Long live Armenian-French
friendship!"

Earlier today, President Chirac laid a wreath at the memorial to the
victims of the 1915 Armenian genocide and visited the genocide museum.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress