PARIS (ArmRadio)–Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian on Wednesday, met for the first time, with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris for talks on bolstering political and economic ties between the two countries.
The two leaders also discussed Armenian-EU cooperation, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenian-Turkish relations, and the developing situation in the South Caucasus.
Sarkisian and Sarkozy pledged to continue their “traditionally warm and friendly relations,” and agreed to “continue high-level contacts,” pointing to the “invaluable role” of the French-Armenian community in French-Armenian relations.
Citing the growth of commodity turnover between the two countries, they also committed to deepening bilateral economic relations,
Sarkisian underscored the important role played by France in the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement process. France, which co-chairs the OSCE Minsk Group alongside Russia and the United States, also occupies the rotating presidency of the European Union.
Sarkozy, for his part, reiterated his country’s support for diplomatic efforts aimed at normalizing relations between Armenia and Turkey.
During his visit, Sarkisian also met with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon, and the President of the French Senate, Gerard Larcher for talks on interparliamentary cooperation aimed at economic and regional development. Discussions with Fillon and Larcher also centered on Armenia-EU cooperation.
Following his meetings in Paris, Sarkisian traveled to Brussels Wednesday for talks with the chairmen of the Belgian Senate and House of Representatives for talks aimed at shoring up Armenian-Belgian relations. He also met with members of the European Parliament.
