YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–President Robert Kocharian met with a delegation of visiting French senators headed by the chairman of the France-Armenia Friendship Union Jacques Oudin.
"This is the group’s first official visit to Armenia and it will not be the last," Oudin said. He handed French Senate Speaker Rene Monorie’s message to Robert Kocharian.
The senators have planned to hold regular meetings with Armenian parliamentarians–intensify interparliamentary relations as well as promote the expansion of Armenian-French economic relations. Representatives of certain big French companies accompanied the governmental delegation.
"France is Armenia’s strategic partner," Kocharian said. Addressing the French businessmen–the president pointed out that all conditions for normal business have been created in Armenia.
The economic reforms are quite rapid–economic liberalization is continuing and the insurance system has been formed. He invited the businessmen to more actively participate in different investment projects.
The participants of the meeting also addressed the resolution on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide recently adopted by the French Senate. Oudin stressed that the fact of the Genocide must be recognized not only by France–but also by all international community.
Presenting his opinion of the issue–Kocharian stressed that the Armenian nation is not guided by a sense of revenge–but by the desire for the correct assessment of the past–which will make it possible to prevent similar crimes.
"I am sure that the recognition of the Genocide will promote stability and peace in the region," he added.