RA PRESIDENT MET WITH FRENCH PM AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE

AZG Armenian Daily
06/11/2008

Armenia-France

Armenian President Serzh Sargsian, in the morning of the second day
of his working visit to France, met with Prime Minister of France
Francois Fillon. The latter highly assessed the existing historic
deep relations between the two countries, underscored the role of
the Armenian community in consolidation of Armenian-French ties,
Armenpress reported.

With the request of the Prime Minister, Serzh Sargsian presented
Armenia’s approaches towards recent events in the region, present
situation over Nagorno Karabakh conflict regulation and details of the
declaration signed over it on November 2 in Moscow as well as steps
directed towards regulation of Armenian-Turkish relations.Serzh
Sargsian noted that the high-level dialogue between the two
countries is a bright expression of Armenian-French warm friendly
relations. During the meeting, the sides also discussed programs
carried out within the framework of EU’s New Neighborhood program,
Armenia-EU relations, bilateral economic partnership particularly
in energy, telecommunication and other spheres.They also underscored
Armenian-French partnership in construction of new atomic station in
Armenia, activity of the third mobile operator on behalf of French
"Orange" company. The sides noted that though the trade turnover
between the two countries increased by 30 percent, there still exists
great potential for its expansion. During the meeting, they also
referred to cooperation in humanitarian and cultural spheres.Referring
to the regional issues, S. Sargsian said that the sooner the issues
in the region are solved, the sooner the efforts will be directed
towards the implementation of joint regional economic programs. The
French Prime Minister assured that France supports all the initiatives
carried out by Armenia and the constructive steps both in the sphere
of economic reforms and in regulation of other issues. He assured
that France and EU will also support these initiatives.Chairman
of the French Senate Gerar Larchen assumed his office 30 days ago
and President of Armenia is the leader of the first country to meet
with him.During the meeting the sides highly assessed the existing
Armenian-French friendly relations in political, economic, cultural
and social spheres. Armenian President pointed out the traditional
warm attitude of the Armenian people towards France.Serzh Sargsian
underscored also the further deepening of inter-parliamentary
cooperation, saying that he is pleased with the existing high level of
cooperation.Serzh Sargsian expressed gratitude to France for supporting
Armenia’s associative membership to World Francophone Organization,
noting that it will promote further dissemination of French culture in
Armenia. After the meeting with French Prime Minister and Chairman of
the Senate, Armenian President met with world famous singer Charles
Aznavour.

On the second half of the day Armenian President met with French
President Nicolas Sarkozy and in the evening left for Brussels.