YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–"The Armenian-French relationship is a complex system in which formal relations occupy a certain place–but not the principal one," said French ambassador to Armenia–Michel Legras–Thursday at a press conference.
The ambassador stated that bilateral relations between the governmen’s of the two countries were generally good–but that there were both areas of improvement–such as in the field of trade–and areas of concern that need to be dealt with.
Legras went on to say that he hadn’t strayed from his belief of a year ago when he first took office that it was important for both states to strengthen their economic ties with one another. According to him–there is a certain stagnation in that sphere–although it is a French company that made one of the largest investmen’s ever of $20 million to the economy.
According to Legras–investmen’s will increase if the Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan is finally resolved–and the ambassador pointed out that one of the reasons behind fettering French investors was instability and transport difficulties. He added that Armenia was holding an advantageous position from the point of view of ensuring regional stability.
Legras spoke highly about the work of the Minsk group in settling the Karabakh conflict–and that in his opinion–the guaranteed security of the Karabakh people was very important in settling the problem–while self-determination and independence should not be confused.
The meeting with the French ambassador was held within the framework of "The World and We" program of the National Press Club.