Everyone, First of All Armenia, Will Benefit from Turkey's Accession to EU

Along with US and Russia France is a co-chair country of the OSCE Minsk Group for settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. After the Rambouillet meeting along with the US and Russian partners France increased contacts between Yerevan and Baku to arrange a new meeting of the two Presidents, scheduled in early June. This is why representatives of MFA of third countries visited Yerevan and Baku along with the co-chairs. Along with Washington and Moscow, we hope for decisive progress and the two Presidents will have to complete the work of the mediators, done within latest two years. The moment is very favorable for a settlement now, taking into account that there are no elections either in Armenia or Azerbaijan and we will hardly have a chance soon.

In case an agreement is reached, we will provide wide political support and the necessary financial assistance to both parties of the conflict within a shortest possible period.

The example of the Armenian community of France is notable, as the French having Armenian origins are fully integrated into all fields of the French society - politics, professional activities, education, economy. The only characteristic that distinguishes them and is quite understandable is their attachment to the fatherland of their ancestors. This is one of the causes explaining France's interest towards Armenia and development of relations between our countries.

France supports Turkey's candidacy for accession to the EU. Turkey approaching European norms will have an undisputed stabilizing effect in the region as a whole. Everyone will benefit from it, first of all Armenia.

The EU is a club with clear, detailed rules, which are compulsory for everyone without exceptions. Democracy, freedom of expression of opinions, beliefs, including religious ones, human rights, including national minority rights, lifting blockades of borders, liberalization of economy, establishment of normal relations with neighbors are the core of that club.

Each country should be free in expressing its will. Approaching European standards for closer cooperation is determined by the programs by means of which it takes place. The European Neighborhood Policy, EU-Armenia Action Plan aim at promoting this cooperation, but this can by no means take place against the will. As of the bilateral cooperation, France actively participates in such priority cooperation fields as education. I must specially note that the largest French university outside France is situated in Armenia. We also cooperate in tourism and health.

The arrival of Air France in the Armenian land was a result of large French industrial groups like Pernod-Ricard and Castel entering the Armenian market and they have settled down in Armenia long ago. SAUR, VEOLIA, engaged in water supplies, ALCATEL telecommunication company, AREVA enterprise specializing in storage of nuclear waste of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant joined them. Peugeot, Renault и Nissan cars, Michelin firm tires have strong positions at the Armenian market, medicines of French pharmaceutical firms are sold.

While one of Turkish TV channels showed Ararat film on the events in 1915 with the consent of 71% of the audience, demonstrations denying the Armenian Genocide were held in France. These demonstrations are not in line with the evolution of the Turkish mentality. These phenomena are not only unacceptable, but also anachronistic.

The Year of Armenia in France will be held in over 30 cities, where numerous cultural events will be held. Christian Armenia exhibition will open in Louvre, exposition on 12 Armenian capitals will be in Conciergerie. Ancient Armenian manuscripts will be exhibited at the National Library of France. Concerts will be held in Opéra Garnier, Châtelet, other towns. Young Armenian gifted persons will arrive in France. We also plan to receive one thousand Armenian schoolchildren, who speak French. The prologue will take place in September-October 2006.