RECEPTION IN RA PRIME MINISTER’S HONOR ORGANIZED IN THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT
Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 18 2006
Late in the evening yesterday RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
and members of the Armenian delegation participated in the reception
organized in honor of the Prime Minister organized by the Chairman
of the National Assembly of France Jean-Louis Debre. Turning to the
Armenian Genocide issue, Mr. Debre stressed the importance of adoption
of the bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide, noting
that one should look into future without forgetting the past.
RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan said it is a great honor for
members of the Armenian delegation and personally him to be welcomed
in the French parliament having a rich history and firm traditions.
The Prime Minister noted that the Armenian delegation arrived in
Paris to partake in the launch of the Year of Armenia in France,
one of the key events of which – the decentralized forum of Armenian
and French sister cities – was already held in the Senate.
"Today our peoples are writing one of the bright pages of our
friendship. A few weeks ago French President Jacques Chirac paid a
state visit to Armenia. We conceive this visit as the appreciation
of the efforts of the Republic of Armenia during the last 15 years,
targeted at having a legal state, developed democracy and free economic
system," the Prime Minister said.
Andranik Margaryan noted that on this way Armenia has always felt
the assistance of France. According to him, today France continues
supporting our country’s integration into European structures and
as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair country actively participates in the
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. With their investments
French Companies contribute to the economic development of Armenia.
"Certainly, the National Assembly of France has an important role in
the development of these close relations. I would like to say that
French parliamentarians are our best friends, no matter whether they
comprise the ruling majority or the opposition.
Tonight RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan is due to deliver a
speech at the festive event dedicated to the 15th anniversary of
Armenia’s independence.