ARMENIAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER OF FRANCE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE
ARMENPRESS
Nov 4, 2008
PARIS, NOVEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, 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.
With the request of the prime minister, Serzh Sargsyan 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 Sargsyan 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. Sargsyan 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 Sargsyan underscored also the further deepening of
inter-parliamentary cooperation, saying that he is pleased with the
existing high level of cooperation.
Serzh Sargsyan 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 will meet with French
President Nicolas Sarkozy and in the evening will leave for Brussles.