AT THE ELYSEE PALACE THERE TOOK PLACE A MEETING OF PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC NICOLAS SARKOZY

president.am
March 11 2010
Armenia

Today, at the Elysee Palace there took place a meeting of the President
of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan with the President of the French Republic
Nicolas Sarkozy. This is the third meeting of the two Presidents since
Serzh Sargsyan was elected President of Armenia. The first meeting
of Serzh Sargsyan and Nicoals Sarkozy took place in November, 2008
in the framework of the Armenian President’s working visit to France.

After the official ceremony of welcoming the President of Armenia in
the Elysee Palace, the two Presidents held a tête-a-tête meeting.

Later, President Sarkozy gave official dinner in honor of the Armenian
President.

Expressing thanks to President Sarkozy for the invitation to make an
official visit to France, Serzh Sargsyan highly praised the high level
of the political dialogue existing between the two friendly nations.

The President of Armenia noted that for the further deepening of genial
relations between Armenia and France it is important to maintain
regular contacts and conduct reciprocal visits, exchange views on
bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. He
also said that in Armenia, as well as by the Armenian communities
all over the world, France is perceived as a close friend, an ally
and a reliable partner in international affairs, and it endows the
Armenian-French relations with special meaning. President Sargsyan
noted with satisfaction that relations between Armenia and France
develop vigorously in all areas.

President Sarkozy underlined that in France Armenia and the Armenian
nation are regarded with fondness, while the Armenian-French community
is an indestructible bridge between the two countries and the two
peoples. Nicolas Sarkozy reiterated his country’s determination to
develop relations with Armenia on all directions and underscored that
France has been and remains Armenia’s friend and will always stand
by her side.

The President of Armenia once again thanked the people of France and
President Sarkozy for the principled and unwavering position regarding
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Serzh Sargsyan and Nicolas Sarkozy discussed the NK peace process
(France is one of the three Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group), issues
related to regional security, Armenia-Turkey normalization process as
well as other subjects of mutual interest. The President of France
praised efforts of the Armenian President aimed at the upholding of
regional peace and security.

Presidents Sargsyan and Sarkozy spoke also about further deepening
of the bilateral economic and trade ties, expansion of cooperation
in the humanitarian area, and exchanged views on Armenia-EU relations.

President Sargsyan expressed gratitude to President Sarkozy for
constant support provided to Armenia in different areas.

The two sides agreed to continue high level contacts on a regular
basis.