PanARMENIAN.Net
Robert Kocharian and Jacques Chirac Opened France
Square in Center of Yerevan
30.09.2006 13:00 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian President Robert Kocharian and French
President Jacques Chirac took part in the solemn opening ceremony of
the Square of France. In his speech the Armenian President said in
part, `This is a remarkable day for us: the Square of France opened in
the heart of Yerevan. Thousand of years have passed since French monks
stepped on the Cilician land where they were received as kin, where
they worked and fought together with the Armenians. The friendship of
our peoples originates from those times and became stronger with years
acquiring a new sense. The ideas of the French enlighteners had a
great impact on the development of the Armenian thought. The
renaissance of the Armenian culture in the 19th century reflects the
influence of the French culture. Many of the Armenian public,
political and cultural figures received education in France. Upon
return they spread the new flows of culture, the ideas of freedom and
humanism throughout Armenia and the whole region. Our friendship
became stronger in the times of ordeals. Having condemned the crime
committed against Armenians the outstanding representatives of the
French society rendered humanitarian assistance to those who survived
the Genocide. The French ships reached the coasts of Cilician Armenia
and rescued thousands of Armenians who escaped the carnage. The
migrants found shelter and human warmth in France.
These Armenians strained every effort to inculcate devotion to France
in their children. We are proud that during the World War II Armenians
took part in the French Resistance and the liberation of France. Some
of them glorified their names symbolizing the fraternity of our
peoples. Dear Mr President, you have many times spoken of the
contribution the Armenians of France made in the French economy,
education, culture and sports. Being French citizens, the children of
the migrants remain true to the Armenian consciousness. The name of
Charles Aznavour is a bright proof of this dual affiliation. The fate
of Charles Aznavour, the son of those who survived the Genocide, is
the answer of the Armenian people to genocides. We attach great
importance to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by France. This
is a big contribution to the just cause of protection of the oppressed
rights of the Armenian people and prevention of such threat to the
whole humanity.’