Sarkozy and Sarkisian in Yerevan earlier this month

YEREVAN—French President Nicolas Sarkozy Monday reaffirmed his country’s commitment to continue a campaign for recognition of the Armenian Genocide in a letter to President Serzh Sarkisian thanking him for the warm hospitality he received during his visit to Armenia earlier this month.

In the letter, which was released by the president’s press office, Sakozy said that he was “deeply moved at the Genocide monument when I paid tribute to the memory of the victims of the death sentence carried out against your people on April 24, 1915.”

“Rest assured that France will not stop its commitment, since the massacres have not been recognized properly by the descendents of the perpetrators,” added Sarkozy, who commended the contribution made by “the survivors of the Genocide who found refuge in our country.”

Saying that France is “indisputably on Armenia’s side as it confront the challenges facing” the country, “first of all in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through negotiation.”

“I do not doubt, that at the necessary moment you will be able to take the risk for peace, in the name of your country and for the interests of the region, leaving your mark on the future of Armenia,” added Sarkozy.

At a press conference Monday in Yerevan, France’s Ambassador to Armenia Henri Reynaud reinforced Sarkozy’s stated position that Karabakh conflict must be resolved within the OSCE Minsk Group and through peaceful means.

“Turkey should look its history in the face and recognize the Armenian Genocide,” said Reynaud, echoing statements made earlier this month by President Sarkozy.

“Armenia has assumed the policy of rapid integration into the European family and is moving steadily in that direction,” the French ambassador said adding that this posturing by Yerevan accelerate the establishment of a visa regime and the creation of a free trade zone.