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Press releases
06
10, 2011
President Serzh Sargsyan hosted a state dinner in honor of the President of France Nicolas Sarkozy
Tonight, President Serzh Sargsyan hosted a state dinner in honor of the President of France Nicolas Sarkozy who is in Armenia on a state visit.
Toast by President Serzh Sargsyan at the official dinner in honor of the President of the French Republic Nicolas Sarkozy
Yerevan,
October 6, 2011
Esteemed Mr. President,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am glad to welcome the President of the French Republic, Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy – a friend of Armenia and also my friend – who is in the Republic of Armenia on a state visit and who has been constantly following and supported our country and our people. I once again express gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality which was extended to me days ago, during my visit to France.
Special relations between Armenia and France have deep historical roots. Back in the XI-XIV century, in the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, along with the matrimonial and strategic alliances of the Armenian and Frank noble dynasties, the sprouts of the Armenian-French relations in subsequent centuries were consistently strengthening, turning into a deep-rooted genuine friendship. It is no accident, that the last Armenian king Levon VI is interned in the French soil, beside the French kings.
Framework of mutual familiarization and rapport of our peoples had expanded during the gravest period of time in the history of our people. At the beginning of the 20th century, hundreds of thousands of Armenians, who had lost their homeland as a result of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated in the Ottoman Empire, found refuge and shelter in France.
While holding high their Armenian identity, the Armenians passed the road of a comprehensive integration into the social life of France and from destitute refuges became exemplary French citizen of the Armenian descent. I am truly proud that many of the Armenians of France contributed to the prosperity of France with their outstanding success and have become a symbol of common pride for our two peoples.
The French society has never been indifferent to the destiny of Armenia or Armenian people, nor to its problems. France has supported our reestablished independence from day one; through its unwavering support France helped to solidify the basis of our statehood and backed us in the most difficult times. The Armenian people and Armenia are grateful to the friendly France for enacting the law on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Interwoven historical bridges that unite our two nations rest on a rock-solid base and in Armenia-France interstate relations have created an exclusive status for mutual friendship. We have established a high-level political dialogue which reflects on the numerous areas of cooperation in the most beneficial way. Reciprocal visits on the presidential level alone approach two dozen.
France is the second largest investor for Armenia, and over one hundred French companies have established their visible presence in our economy, including French companies of international standing such as Credit Agricole, Orange, Pernod Ricard. I am hopeful that very soon the list will be augmented with other names too.
Remarkable achievements have been registered also in the areas of education and culture. We have been successfully cooperating in the framework of Francophonia, attaching great importance and putting consistent efforts into the dissemination of French language and culture in Armenia.
It is also noteworthy that almost 30 Armenian and French towns and regions have established decentralized cooperation in different areas.
I would also like to express gratitude for France’s and personally Your, Mr. President, persistent efforts aimed at the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh issue, which are conducive for peace and cooperation in our region. France is a global player and France’s just and unbiased position on this issue has a vital importance for us.
Dear Mr. President,
I once again welcome You to Armenia. I am confident, that we will have opportunities to work together in the coming years and combine our efforts for the benefit of a long-lasting friendship of our two nations. I am certain, that Your state visit to Armenia will place another pillar in the temple of the Armenian-French friendship.
I would like to conclude by raising this glass, dear Mr. President, to honor You and Your delegation, which means to honor the great French nation, whose genius sons and daughters made invaluable and huge contribution to the creation and development of the world civilization. I ask all those present here to rise and raise a glass together with me, wishing fervor and eternity to the friendship of our two countries and two peoples.
Thank you.
Toast by President Serzh Sargsyan at the official dinner in honor of the President of the French Republic Nicolas Sarkozy
Yerevan,
October 6, 2011
Esteemed Mr. President,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am glad to welcome the President of the French Republic, Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy – a friend of Armenia and also my friend – who is in the Republic of Armenia on a state visit and who has been constantly following and supported our country and our people. I once again express gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality which was extended to me days ago, during my visit to France.
Special relations between Armenia and France have deep historical roots. Back in the XI-XIV century, in the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, along with the matrimonial and strategic alliances of the Armenian and Frank noble dynasties, the sprouts of the Armenian-French relations in subsequent centuries were consistently strengthening, turning into a deep-rooted genuine friendship. It is no accident, that the last Armenian king Levon VI is interned in the French soil, beside the French kings.
Framework of mutual familiarization and rapport of our peoples had expanded during the gravest period of time in the history of our people. At the beginning of the 20th century, hundreds of thousands of Armenians, who had lost their homeland as a result of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated in the Ottoman Empire, found refuge and shelter in France.
While holding high their Armenian identity, the Armenians passed the road of a comprehensive integration into the social life of France and from destitute refuges became exemplary French citizen of the Armenian descent. I am truly proud that many of the Armenians of France contributed to the prosperity of France with their outstanding success and have become a symbol of common pride for our two peoples.
The French society has never been indifferent to the destiny of Armenia or Armenian people, nor to its problems. France has supported our reestablished independence from day one; through its unwavering support France helped to solidify the basis of our statehood and backed us in the most difficult times. The Armenian people and Armenia are grateful to the friendly France for enacting the law on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Interwoven historical bridges that unite our two nations rest on a rock-solid base and in Armenia-France interstate relations have created an exclusive status for mutual friendship. We have established a high-level political dialogue which reflects on the numerous areas of cooperation in the most beneficial way. Reciprocal visits on the presidential level alone approach two dozen.
France is the second largest investor for Armenia, and over one hundred French companies have established their visible presence in our economy, including French companies of international standing such as Credit Agricole, Orange, Pernod Ricard. I am hopeful that very soon the list will be augmented with other names too.
Remarkable achievements have been registered also in the areas of education and culture. We have been successfully cooperating in the framework of Francophonia, attaching great importance and putting consistent efforts into the dissemination of French language and culture in Armenia.
It is also noteworthy that almost 30 Armenian and French towns and regions have established decentralized cooperation in different areas.
I would also like to express gratitude for France’s and personally Your, Mr. President, persistent efforts aimed at the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh issue, which are conducive for peace and cooperation in our region. France is a global player and France’s just and unbiased position on this issue has a vital importance for us.
Dear Mr. President,
I once again welcome You to Armenia. I am confident, that we will have opportunities to work together in the coming years and combine our efforts for the benefit of a long-lasting friendship of our two nations. I am certain, that Your state visit to Armenia will place another pillar in the temple of the Armenian-French friendship.
I would like to conclude by raising this glass, dear Mr. President, to honor You and Your delegation, which means to honor the great French nation, whose genius sons and daughters made invaluable and huge contribution to the creation and development of the world civilization. I ask all those present here to rise and raise a glass together with me, wishing fervor and eternity to the friendship of our two countries and two peoples.
Thank you.