YEREVAN (Armenpress)–Armenian President Robert Kocharian has sent a congratulatory message to his French counterpart Jacques Chirac who was re-elected Sunday in a landslide victory over extreme-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen.
In his message–the Armenian president–who is now touring South America–said he heard of Chirac’s re-election with great joy.
President Kocharian describes the re-election by Chirac as the best assessment of his far-reaching and fruitful activity for the sake of France’s prosperity and development and also for the sake of international peace and cooperation.
"We appreciate and emphasize greatly Your personal contribution and decisiveness in efforts seeking resolution to a number of problems–accumulated in the South Caucasian region and establishment of a long-lasting peace and sustainable development there," Kocharian’s message says–adding that Chirac has been very instrumental in furthering traditionally friendly French- Armenian relations.
Chirac’s victory was fueled by a larger turnout than for the April 21 first round–when 28 percent of voters stayed home. Turnout on Sunday was estimated at about 80 percent–with 20 percent abstaining.