ARMENIAN, FRENCH FMS MEET IN PARIS

armradio.am
25.07.2012 13:19

Armenian and French Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and Laurent
Fabius held a meeting in Paris on July 24.

Greeting the Armenian Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius said the meeting
provides a good opportunity to sum up the achievements of bilateral
relations and give new impetus to the Armenian-French cooperation.

Edward Nalbandian noted that France and Armenia have special relations
based on traditional friendship.

"The political dialogue between the two countries is on a high
level, intensive inter-parliamentary, decentralized ties have
been established, France is the second investor in the Armenian
economy, active cooperation has been launched in the cultural and
scientific-educational spheres," Edward Nalbandian underlined.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and France referred to the steps
to be taken towards further development of bilateral cooperation in
different spheres.

The interlocutors discussed international and regional issues of
bilateral interest. In that context the parties stressed that the
positions of Armenia and France on a number of international issues
often overlap.

Edward Nalbandian and Laurent Fabius exchanged views on Armenian-French
cooperation within the framework of international organizations. The
Ministers discussed Armenia-EU relations and the programs implemented
within that framework. Edward Nalbandian presented the progress
achieved in the negotiations on the facilitation of the visa regime.

The process of settlement of the Karabakh issue was also on the
agenda. Highly appreciating the involvement of the France in the
process as OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing country, Edward Nalbandian
reiterated Armenia's willingness to reach a peaceful resolution of the
conflict on the basis of he statements adopted in l'Aquila, Muskoka,
Deauville and Los Cabos and the proposals presented.

The interlocutors referred to a number of issues on international
agenda, including Iran's nuclear program and the developments in the
Middle East.