Sarkisian discusses Armenian Genocide, Artsakh with French delegation

By Asbarez | Friday, 09 September 2016

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian met with Socialist Faction of the French National Assembly Bruno Le Roux on Friday (Photo: president.am)

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian met with Socialist Faction of the French National Assembly Bruno Le Roux on Friday (Photo: president.am)

YEREVAN (Armenpress)— Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian received on Friday the Socialist Faction of the French National Assembly Bruno Le Roux, said press service of the Parliament.

Sarkisian hailed another visit of the French parliamentarians to Armenia and stated that Armenia is proud to have unique relations and cordial friendship with France, which are significantly fostered by close inter-parliamentary partnership. “In the face of Mr. Le Roux I want to spotlight the consistent work of numerous French parliamentarians in their parliament thank to which Armenian-French inter-parliamentary relations strengthen, as well as deepen inter-state relations in general,” Sarkisian said.

Sarkisian expressed gratitude to friendly France for always supporting Armenia in issues of vital importance. He conveyed the significance of France’s contribution to international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide and expressed his deep gratitude to the French authorities and people, highlighting the works done for the adoption of the bill criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide.

On behalf of the French President Francois Hollande, Le Roux expressed gratitude to Sarkisian after which the sides discussed the opportunities for expanding inter-parliamentary partnership and strengthening relations between the two states and peoples.

Le Roux warmly recalled the delegation’s meeting in 2015 with Sarkisian in 2015, during which Sarkisian introduced the process of Constitutional reforms and its aim at the request of the French parliamentarians. Le Roux mentioned he is glad to see how the President of Armenia, who a year ago vigorously supported the idea of reforms, continues to consistently progress in that direction.

The interlocutors discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement negotiations at the meeting. Sarkisian appreciated France’s balanced position on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue and its active role in the sidelines of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, attaching special importance to the contribution of Hollande to propelling the negotiation process forward.

Armenian National Assembly Speaker Galust Sahakyan and Le Roux on Friday (Photo: parliament.am)

Armenian National Assembly Speaker Galust Sahakyan and Le Roux on Friday (Photo: parliament.am)

Armenian National Assembly Speaker Galust Sahakyan also received Le Roux on Friday.

Sahakyan welcomed the guests and said to the delegation that such visits contribute to deepening and development of Armenian-French relations.

According to the Armenian Parliament’s press service, Sahakyan discussed the role France has played in the Armenian Genocide issue and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, attaching importance to the French delegation’s visit to Karabakh in 2015. He expressed gratitude toward the French delegation regarding their continuous assistance in both issues. Sahakyan expressed hope the French Parliament will be consistent on the submission and adoption of the new bill on the Armenian Genocide.

During the meeting, Sahakyan condemned the terror attacks in Paris and Nice and ensured Armenia always stands together with friendly France.

He also highly appreciated the productive activity of the friendship groups.

Le Roux expressed gratitude for the warm reception and said France-Armenia relations are friendly and they are happy for being here during the days of celebrating the 25th anniversary of Armenia’s and Karabakh’s independence. Referring to the Armenian Genocide recognition, he said everything is done in France to adopt a bill which will make the Armenian Genocide recognition complete and will criminalize Genocide denial.

Le Roux said they are concerned over Azerbaijan’s policy the evidence of which was the war unleashed by Azerbaijan in early April which caused many victims and injured. He stated they have visited the line of contact last year and got acquainted with people’s issues of concern and expressed their readiness to help the youth of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. He said today those projects are becoming a reality.

In addition, the sides attached importance to the further intensification of the Armenian-French economic ties; they also discussed the Constitutional amendments held in Armenia.

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