Republican Party of Armenia

Today, at the Presidential Palace President Serzh Sargsyan and the President of the French Republic Francois Hollande having arrived in Armenia on a state visit held a one-on-one meeting followed by the extended-format negotiations with the participation of the two countries’ delegation members. At the end of the private meeting, President Serzh Sargsyan awarded Francois Hollande the Order of Glory for his huge personal contribution to reinforcing and promoting the Armenian-French traditionally friendly relations, as well as expanding and enhancing the cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the French Republic. The French President awarded President Serzh Sargsyan the French National Order of Merit.

The negotiations between the two countries’ leaders ended in signing documents on promoting and advancing the cooperation between the two countries in a number of sectors. Particularly, the following documents were concluded: an Administrative Agreement for Cooperation between the Armenian Minister of Agriculture and the French Minister of Agriculture, Agrifood and Forestry, a Letter of Intent for Cooperation on Natural and Technological Disaster Protection between the Armenian Minister of Emergency Situations and the French Minister of the Interior, a Concession Agreement on Introduction and Operation of Vehicle Single Window System in Armenia, an Agreement Protocol for Cooperation on Vedi’s Hydro-Economic Program between the Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration and the French Development Agency, a Trade Agreement on Vegetable Production Kitchen-Gardens between the company Progress Agro and Richel Group. Moreover, an exchange of a Letter of Acceptance on Water Supply and Wastewater Network Works took place between the parties. In the framework of the French President’s visit, a Preliminary Lease Contract was signed between the companies Yerevan Mall and Carrefour. After the signing ceremony held at the Presidential Palace, Serzh Sargsyan and Francois Hollande summed up the negotiation results at the joint press conference.

***

Statement by President Serzh Sargsyan at joint press breifing with French President Francois Hollande

Distinguished Mr. President,
Honorable ladies and gentlemen,
Respected respresentatives of the mass media,

I once again welcome to the President of France and the great friend of Armenian people Mr. Hollande’s state visit to the Republic of Armenia. During these two days, we have had constructive discussions with President Hollande held in an atmoshpere of mutual undertsanding. The latter characterizes each our meeting be it in Yerevan, Paris or in a third country. We thoroughly touched upon the Armenian-French intensive agenda, as well as a number of regional and international issues.

We were pleased to state that the Armenian-French interstate relations anchored in a historical friendship and identical values had gradually reached an important milestone – a privilaged level. A dynamic political dialogue, active inter parliamentary ties, close collaboration between 35 Armenian and French regions and cities, an intensive economic, cultural, scientific and educational agenda, suport programs implemeneted effectively by France, as well as a legal and contractual field involving 35 legal documents to be increased by 7 to enlarge and reinfoce the bilateral collaboration: this is the outcome of our joint work during these years. In addition, we reaffirmed our committment to make new acheivements.

Taking part in the opening ceremony of yesterday’s business forum together with President Hollande, we stressed the improtance of the economic component of our cooperation, welcomed the total one-billion-dollar investments made by France in Armenia and the engagement of around 180 French companies – Pernod Ricard, Ornage, Credit Agricole, Veolia, Sor, Alcatel and others - in the Armenian economy. It is an honor for us that this list is expanded by the access of one more world-famous company – the chain of hypermarkets Carrefour.

We touched upon our peoples’ cultural ties which are of pivotal importance for the Armenian-French relations. I mentioned that Armenians loved France, the French culture and language, that is why in Armenia there exists a whole French language teaching cycle from schools to universities and our engagment in the international Francophonie movement is deliberate and extremely effective.

Touching upon the NKR conflict, I once again highly appreciated the role of France as the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair country.

We exchanged views on Turkey’s illegal blockade of Armenia, the state of Christians in the Middle East, including the Kesab events.

We reaffirmed our mutual interest in further enhancing the cooperation between our countries on multilateral platforms, including the EU Eastern Partnership platform. I said that Armenia is committed to advancing its relations with the European Union in all possible directions exactly on the foundation we have laid down jointly in recent years. Armenia highly appreciates the French support in promoting the Armenia-European Union cooperation.

We are grateful to France not only for recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide legally, but also for the commitment to fight against the policy of denial through legal mechanisms. With the Armenian Genocide Centenary ahead, this issue is urgent more than ever in terms of transferring the denialism to the Pan-European platform and in the context of Turkey’s diligent efforts at mutilating it under the mask of freedom of speech. We should be vigilant and watchful since the impunity gives rise to permissiveness especially as the contemporary world is not free of most brutal crimes against humanity.

Honorable Mr. President,
During your visit, I intended to invite you to Armenia to attend the events to be organized on the occasion of the Armenian Genocide Centenary in 2015. Can you imagine our appreciation when you yourself announced about it in your statement made on the occasion of the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24. We consider that step as a striking illustration of your friendship and complete devotion to Armenian people and Armenia. Mr. President, I would like to once again present my appreciation for your deed.

Dear colleagues,

I am sure that the visit of President Hollande will give a new impulse to the Armenian-French political dialogue and multilateral cooperation.