NEW COOPERATION POSSIBILITIES SEEN

Yerkir
06.09.2007 16:16

YEREVAN (YERKIR) "The French Socialist Party and the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation have close ties. I do not wish to interfere in
the domestic politics because there are elections coming but knowing
well the role of the ARF in the Armenian history, I want that role to
be greater," French Socialist Party First Secretary Francois Hollande
said at a news conference today held at the ARF Bureau.

He added that they have many things in common with the ARF. He reminded
that both parties cooperate in the Socialist International. He pointed
to the warm relations between Armenia and France.

He said many agreements were reached during the visit of former French
President Jacque Chirac.

Hollande said his visit is also aimed at knowing the political
positions of Armenia better. He said that during his meeting with
the Armenian president, many issues were discussed, including the
French-Turkish relations. As a socialist party we are for the talks
with Turkey to join EU and we have not changed our position unlike
President Sarkozy, he said.

"But the first pre-requisite is that Turkey should recognize the
Armenian Genocide," he said, adding that his party had contributed
a lot to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by France.

Among the issues discussed was the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. "France
is following the process and is a part of it. We want the process to
bring results which will contribute to the stability in the region,"
Hollande said.