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ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SPOKE ABOUT NKR CONFLICT, ARMENIAN GENOCIDE, FRANCE-TURKEY RELATIONS AND SYRIAN ISSUE
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, ARMENPRESS: Serzh Sargsyan, President of the
Republic of Armenia gave an interview to Le Figaro newspaper.
Armenpress presents the full interview.
-How would you describe Armenian- French relations?
- I qualify Armenian- French friendship with an attribute "unique".
France is the country that willingly gave shelter those who fled
Armenian Genocide. Currently French Armenian community, dating back
the days of Genocide has a pivotal role in uniting two countries. 2012
is a symbolic year for two countries . This year we are celebrating
20th anniversary of diplomatic relations establishment. Those 20
years have been marked by a series of events. Our cultural and trade
ties are developing actively. France is the second largest investor
to Armenia. Namely enterprises of primary importance as Orange,
Credit Agricole, Pernod Ricard, Alcatel and Carrefour are opertaing
in our country.
-Bill criminalizing the denial of Armenian Genocide was recognized
unconstitutional...
-Policy perused by France over Armenian Genocide issue was not imposed
by Armenia . France has publicly recognized Armenian Genocide. The
denying of Genocide is the continuation of the crime. We honestly
consider the nations reviewing other nation genocide history explicitly
share the responsibility of committed crimes. It is difficult for me
to predict the decision of the bill. I welcome President Olland clear
stance, which has been expressed both during his election campaign
and after assuming the leadership of the country.
-Did Armenian- Azerbaijani Foreign Affair Ministers meeting held in
Paris met your expectations refer to NKR conflict settlement process?
-This meeting started and ended with envisaging current negotiation
format of Nagorno Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement. However this
meeting is far from arising new hopes. Official Baku refuses to accept
international mediators' suggestions, and considers negotiation over
peaceful agreement can be started immediately without coordinating with
Fundamental principles. Yet the peace negotiation can not be viable
if not based on clear principles acceptable for all. Regardless the
stance of Baku, that honors with a hero title an Azerbaijani officer
committing an atrocious crime, axe murdering a sleeping Armenian
officer, Armenia cares no effort to keep the peaceful settlement
process.
-Are you concerned by by rapprochement of ties between France and
Turkey?
-Definitely not. Our policy is not based to damage Turkey. It is based
on clear principles. We want that the ties between France, Turkey and
other European states be multiplied in order Turkey would be capable
to accept European values thanks to those relations. French Presidents
have found enough strength in them to confront with the history.
Reportedly I welcome that agreement. I am going to ask President
Olland tell Turkish authorities how he criminalized the deportation of
Jews and keeping them in camps. It can serve as a lesson to Turkish
authorities.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, ARMENPRESS: Serzh Sargsyan, President of the
Republic of Armenia gave an interview to Le Figaro newspaper.
Armenpress presents the full interview.
-How would you describe Armenian- French relations?
- I qualify Armenian- French friendship with an attribute "unique".
France is the country that willingly gave shelter those who fled
Armenian Genocide. Currently French Armenian community, dating back
the days of Genocide has a pivotal role in uniting two countries. 2012
is a symbolic year for two countries . This year we are celebrating
20th anniversary of diplomatic relations establishment. Those 20
years have been marked by a series of events. Our cultural and trade
ties are developing actively. France is the second largest investor
to Armenia. Namely enterprises of primary importance as Orange,
Credit Agricole, Pernod Ricard, Alcatel and Carrefour are opertaing
in our country.
-Bill criminalizing the denial of Armenian Genocide was recognized
unconstitutional...
-Policy perused by France over Armenian Genocide issue was not imposed
by Armenia . France has publicly recognized Armenian Genocide. The
denying of Genocide is the continuation of the crime. We honestly
consider the nations reviewing other nation genocide history explicitly
share the responsibility of committed crimes. It is difficult for me
to predict the decision of the bill. I welcome President Olland clear
stance, which has been expressed both during his election campaign
and after assuming the leadership of the country.
-Did Armenian- Azerbaijani Foreign Affair Ministers meeting held in
Paris met your expectations refer to NKR conflict settlement process?
-This meeting started and ended with envisaging current negotiation
format of Nagorno Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement. However this
meeting is far from arising new hopes. Official Baku refuses to accept
international mediators' suggestions, and considers negotiation over
peaceful agreement can be started immediately without coordinating with
Fundamental principles. Yet the peace negotiation can not be viable
if not based on clear principles acceptable for all. Regardless the
stance of Baku, that honors with a hero title an Azerbaijani officer
committing an atrocious crime, axe murdering a sleeping Armenian
officer, Armenia cares no effort to keep the peaceful settlement
process.
-Are you concerned by by rapprochement of ties between France and
Turkey?
-Definitely not. Our policy is not based to damage Turkey. It is based
on clear principles. We want that the ties between France, Turkey and
other European states be multiplied in order Turkey would be capable
to accept European values thanks to those relations. French Presidents
have found enough strength in them to confront with the history.
Reportedly I welcome that agreement. I am going to ask President
Olland tell Turkish authorities how he criminalized the deportation of
Jews and keeping them in camps. It can serve as a lesson to Turkish
authorities.