Hayots Ashkharh Daily, Armenia
Oct 27 2007

OFFICIAL VISIT TO FRANCE CAME TO AN END

Yesterday the official visit of Armenian Prime Minister Serge
Sargsyan to France came to an end.
On the last day of his visit he met with French President Nicolas
Sarcosy. Serge Sargsyan and Nicolas Sarcosy discussed broad framework
of issues of bilateral interest regarding political, economic and
cultural relations. The Prime Minister reconfirmed Armenia’s
invitation for the French President, which the latter accepted with
gratitude and readiness.
To extend the bilateral relations the interlocutors also discussed
the issue of opening Armenian Cultural Center in Paris and French
Cultural Center in Yerevan. Nicolas Sarcosy underscored that he
doesn’t see any problem in immediately solving this issue.
Serge Sargsyan and Nicolas Sarcosy expressed bilateral desire to
make Armenian-French cooperation in military sphere more active.
They also spoke about the involvement of French companies in the
programs of developing nuclear energy in Armenia. They bilaterally
stressed the importance of bringing the economic relations between
the two countries on the level of the political relations.
In the context of establishing closer relations in the cultural
and educational sphere they particularly touched upon the issue of
increasing the level of activity of the French University in Armenia.
In this regard the French President expressed his readiness to show
unreserved assistance. President Sarcosy expressed satisfaction with
the activity of this University.
Serge Sargsyan and the French President touched upon the possible
ways of easing visa regime between the two countries.
During the meeting they also touched upon the regulation of NKR
conflict and they bilaterally underscored that the conflict must be
solved only by means of peace-talks.
President Sarcosy also mentioned that because France is one of
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries, he would express his attitude
regarding this issue to Azerbaijani President, who is planning to
visit France in November.
At the end of the meeting they mentioned one more time the
importance of preserving and developing the special relations between
Armenia and France.
Today Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan is returning to Yerevan.