On October 23 the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia received the Ambassador of France in Armenia Mr. Henry Cuny on the occasion of the end of his ambassadorial mission.

“Thanking you for the efficient joint work I would like to express in your person the pledge of friendship towards the Armenian people,” said Mr. Cuny and assured that the departure from Armenia does not mean a farewell to Armenia. Later on Mr. Cuny will officiate in Slovakia, but he intends to contribute to the continuation of educational programmes as much as it is possible. About his five-year tenure in Armenia Mr. Cuny said, that they have been interesting and important working years, he has also obtained dozens of friends. Mr. Cuny stressed the importance of the development of Francophonie in Armenia, as the European values are on the basis of it, and the way of integration to Europe becomes shorter with the development of Francophonie values. The Ambassador of France in Armenia also touched upon the forthcoming general elections, stressing the importance of 2007 parliamentary elections in the context of 2008 presidential elections. The Ambassador noted that the forthcoming elections will be an examination for Armenia on its way to democracy, and from the view of the development of the country it is very important to successfully pass this examination.

Mr. Tigran Torosyan thanked Mr. Cuny noting that the years of his mission have been a decisive period of the irreversibility of returning to European family, and expressed willingness to support him from now on. Thanks to the Ambassador’s efforts, the French culture and language really got more disseminated in our country. The President of the National Assembly noted that Mr. Cuny leaves a good, but at the same time complicated inheritance for his successor, because the new Ambassador will have to maintain and continue what already exists. For the success of the forthcoming general elections the NA President highlighted the importance of consolidation of political forces. He noted that the successful examination of democracy depends not only on the adoption of laws, but also on their enforcement in real life. It is time not to provide objective explanations for mistakes, but find ways of eliminating them.

During the meeting the parties also spoke about the draft law of condemning the denial of the Armenian Genocide adopted by the National Assembly of France. At the Ambassador’s request the President of the National Assembly shared his impression about the adoption of the draft law and the reaction that followed it. Quoting words by Jacques Chirac said on another occasion: “They lost their best possibility to stay silent,” Mr. Torosyan described the behaviour of those organizations that have condemned the decision of the National Assembly of France. And the reactions of Turkey and Azerbaijan are not absolutely within the limits of logic and common sense. Mr. Torosyan noted that the draft law does not aim to arrest anybody, but calls for vigilance, for not putting up moral issues to a political auction, because those who try to teach France democracy, find themselves in a ridiculous situation.