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EVERYONE, FIRST OF ALL ARMENIA, WILL BENEFIT FROM TURKEY'S ACCESSION TO EU
PanARMENIAN.Net
01.06.2006 GMT+04:00
Henry Cuny: Interview
Year 2006 is announced that of Armenia in France. Both countries are
bound with long-standing friendly relations, promoted to a notable
extent by the Armenian community, which is one of the largest in
Europe. France along with the US and Russia actively participates
in settlement of the Karabakh conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group
framework. French Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to
Armenia Henry Cuny told PanARMENIAN.Net about the current state of
the Armenian-French relations.
France is a co-chair of the talks over peaceful settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The co-chairs say that in 2006 it is
possible to get things moving. What is your opinion, is a breakthrough
possible in settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict?
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.
There is a rather large Armenian community in France.
What role does it play in the public and political life of your
country?
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.
What is France's attitude towards Turkey's accession to the EU?
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.
What is your assessment of the current level of the Armenian-French
political relations and their prospective development in the light
of Armenia's participation in the European Neighborhood Policy in
particular and European integration in general?
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.
How do Armenian-French economic relations develop at present, taking
into account the opening of an Air France representation and direct
Yerevan-Paris flights?
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.
Demonstrations against establishment of monuments to Armenian Genocide
victims were held in some French towns lately. Do you consider these
as common phenomena or not?
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.
Year 2006 is announced that of Armenia in France.
Could you tell about the events planned on the occasion?
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 Opera 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.
--Boundary_(ID_vw5EKaVZdGlD9eCoEry/rA)--
PanARMENIAN.Net
01.06.2006 GMT+04:00
Henry Cuny: Interview
Year 2006 is announced that of Armenia in France. Both countries are
bound with long-standing friendly relations, promoted to a notable
extent by the Armenian community, which is one of the largest in
Europe. France along with the US and Russia actively participates
in settlement of the Karabakh conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group
framework. French Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to
Armenia Henry Cuny told PanARMENIAN.Net about the current state of
the Armenian-French relations.
France is a co-chair of the talks over peaceful settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The co-chairs say that in 2006 it is
possible to get things moving. What is your opinion, is a breakthrough
possible in settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict?
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.
There is a rather large Armenian community in France.
What role does it play in the public and political life of your
country?
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.
What is France's attitude towards Turkey's accession to the EU?
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.
What is your assessment of the current level of the Armenian-French
political relations and their prospective development in the light
of Armenia's participation in the European Neighborhood Policy in
particular and European integration in general?
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.
How do Armenian-French economic relations develop at present, taking
into account the opening of an Air France representation and direct
Yerevan-Paris flights?
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.
Demonstrations against establishment of monuments to Armenian Genocide
victims were held in some French towns lately. Do you consider these
as common phenomena or not?
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.
Year 2006 is announced that of Armenia in France.
Could you tell about the events planned on the occasion?
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 Opera 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.
--Boundary_(ID_vw5EKaVZdGlD9eCoEry/rA)--