Newly appointed French Ambassador to Armenia Serge Smessov has presented credentials to President Robert Kocharian. The Armenian President congratulated the diplomat with the appointment and wished him good luck in fulfilling his mission. The parties evaluated the relations between the two countries as excellent, which is proved by the state visit of French President Jacques Chirac to Yerevan, the holding of the Year of Armenia in France, as well as the coming visit of Armenian President to France next year. In Robert Kocharian's words, the political dialogue between Armenia and France includes also economical, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The Armenian leader underscored that the economic component has lately become fuller so as leading French firms are represented in Armenia. Touching on the Year of Armenia in France, Robert Kocharian said that Armenia prepared to the Year very seriously. «I am convinced that over 500 events in various French cities will present Armenia in a worthy manner and the French will have an opportunity to get to know the Armenian people closer,» Kocharian said. In his turn Smessov noted that he will do his best to strengthen and promote relations between the two countries.