Press releases
On behalf of President Serzh Sargsyan state supper was held in honor of French President Francois Hollande
This evening, on behalf of President Serzh Sargsyan a state supper was held at the Presidential Palace in honor of French President Francois Hollande having arrived in the Republic of Armenia on a state visit.
According to the established protocol, the presidents of the two countries exchanged toasts, touched upon the Armenian-French century-old friendship and the historic connections of the two friendly peoples, the current high level of interstate relations and their development prospects.
At the reception held in honor of the French President, a surprise was made for the world-famous chanson singer Charles Aznavour: in the presence of the Armenian and French Presidents and numerous guests a festive cake was served designed specifically for the occasion of Charles Aznavour’s 90th anniversary. Afterwards, the participants expressed their congratulations and best wishes.
***
***
Toast by President Francois Hollande at state supper held by President Serzh Sargsyan in honor of French President
Distinguished Mr. President,
I consider it an honor to be hosted in Armenia within the framework of my first state visit as President of France.
As you mentioned, I visited Armenia already in 2007 driven from my devotion to fighting for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide together with my colleagues and the others who are present here today.
Distinguished Mr. President,
Your toast reminded us of the historical ties between our peoples. Yes, King Levon V Lusinyan, the last Armenian monarch is buried at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Denis next to French monarchs. I do not know what they tell each other, but I think they talk about France and Armenia.
Later, in 18th century France, an Armenology Department was opened at Paris School of Living Oriental Languages, while in the 19th centuries numerous Armenian intellectuals and scientists arrived in France to study particularly at the most well-known universities of Paris.
In the late 19th century, Jean Jaures who you also mentioned in your speech, got in touch with Armenian students in France and spoke out against the first Armenian massacres perpetrated during the summer of 1894. As a result of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, France granted asylum to numerous families which led to the formation of the present 500000 member Armenian community in France being among the largest ones in the world.
Members of the Armenian community in France are widely represented in the delegation accompanying me during this visit.
Frenchmen feel obligation toward Armenians. In the darkest pages of our history Armenians defended the freedom of our country being involved in the Resistance and fought in our own land in the name of those values we still share today.
Mindful of this, I paid tribute to the memory of Misak Manushyan who was executed 70 years ago for struggling heroically against the fascist aggression.
After both world wars, the Armenians of France were involved in its reconstruction and have been contributing to the prosperity of my country up to the present day. They are actively engaged in the areas of art, cinematography, culture, music, literature, science and of course in economy. By the way, few hours have passed since we launched the Armenian-French economic forum.
Armenians, the Armenians of France have been great patriots devoted to France.
In addition, this state visit gives me an opportunity to welcome the road Armenia has covered since the Declaration of Independence on September 21, 1991.
Armenia has put special emphasis on building a state based on democratic values. Armenia has also opened its economy and has paved the way for development.
Armenia has opened its doors before the world even if some part of your borders is still closed. Armenia has overcome hardships, namely the earthquake in 1988 and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
As an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair country, France does not ignore any effort made at facilitating the peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Today is May 12, the 20th anniversary of the ceasefire which has nothing to do with peace yet. The ceasefire is not a resolution to the conflict, not even an end of the battle.
Thus, the Minsk Group and France should continue to work towards reinforcing the principles with which all of us are familiar both in Armenia and Azerbaijan. These three principles are: non-use of force, territorial integrity and the right to self-determination after conducting a referendum which is not a problem in this sense.
Armenia and Azerbaijan need to establish peace which stems from common interests in the context of the development of the South Caucasus region. That is why I spoke about it yesterday and I am doing the same today. Guided by the above-mentioned principles, we should do everything to get the opportunity for resolving this protracted conflict.
Distinguished Mr. President,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Armenia will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24 next year. This is an important event for Armenia and at the same time, it is essential for the world as well. On the commemoration day in Yerevan, I will stand next to you in the name of my duty toward the memory and in harmony with the step the French Republic took to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
The law signed in 2001 the copy of which (placed at the Genocide Memorial in memory of the victims) was handed to me on a paper made of flower leaves symbolizes the significance of the message inferred by that document.
Yes, France has adopted a law on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, a law by which the French Republic assumed its commitment. That law was adopted by all the political forces of France who are represented here today.
Countless global initiatives have been undertaken in order to shed light on the calamities of genocides and to raise peoples’ awareness.
This work accomplished by historians and numerous other individuals seeking to remind us of the hardships suffered by the Armenian people deserves the highest respect.
Concurrently, this work is an appeal to acknowledge the history and to heal over the wounds of the past. Accordingly, every call for understanding, peace and tolerance should be welcomed. The recognition of the genocide aimed at preventing the repetition of such horrible events in the future should unite, rather than divide. Furthermore, no door should be left half-open before the policy of denial. Denialism is not a stance; it is an encroachment upon the truth and disrespect toward the victims and their generations.
Our bilateral meetings are in dynamic progress. You, Mr. President, conducted your last visit to France in October 2013. Various ministers conduct reciprocal visits to our capitals. All of this is a striking illustration of the fact that our relations develop in an atmosphere of mutual confidence.
I want our relations to keep on strengthening. As I previously mentioned, France is Armenia’s first European investor but our trade circulation does not corresponds to the level of the Armenian-French friendship. We have close cultural ties proved by the existence of the French University of Armenia. Numerous Armenian students study in France. Moreover, Armenia’s full and equal membership in the International Organization of La Francophonie makes our two countries closer to each other.
We are satisfied with Armenia’s intention to keep on cooperating with the European Union. I have already outlined the possible vectors for that cooperation model. Armenia can join the Association Agreement – the European spirit and ideal and the European objective – without hindering your country’s membership in the Customs Union. You have made your own choice and I respect it.
Distinguished Mr. President,
For a long time, I have been seeking the issues on which we may have disagreements. Can you imagine, I have found the only one – Charles Aznavour. Finally, Is Aznavour an Armenian or a Frenchman? Nevertheless, we have found the most convenient combination – he is the Frenchman of Armenia. This evening the maestro not only afforded us an opportunity to have a nice time together but also helped us to celebrate the Armenian-French friendship at the highest level.
Welcoming this visit, I am raising a toast in honor of the special relations between our countries.
Thank you.