SARKOZY UTTERS THE WORD "GENOCIDE" IN ARMENIAN
Alisa Gevorgyan
"Radiolur"
07.10.2011 17:41
Today, the Presidents of Armenia and France Serzh Sargsyan and Nicolas
Sarkozy, together with world-famous chansonnier Charles Aznavour
attended the official opening of the home-museum of the great singer
in Yerevan.
Later, at the France Square the Presidents of Armenia and France made
statements and unveiled the Auguste Rodin sculpture of painter Jules
Bastien-Lepage. The sculpture is a gift of the French Republic to
the Republic of Armenia.
Yerevan will hardly remember any warmer reception that this. Perhaps,
it was only the visit of the ex-President of France, Jacques Chirac,
created this much enthusiasm in the Armenian capital.
"This is a wonderful morning in Yerevan - amazing weather, great mood,
enjoyable ambience, and nice people. This is how we welcome our good
friend, my good friend, the President of France Nicolas Sarkozy. Mr.
President, we welcome you in the Motherland of the entire Armenian
nation, in the capital of the Republic of Armenia, which just days
ago celebrated its 20th anniversary," President Serzh Sargsyan stated.
"From now on the work of a French genius, the sculpture of painter
Jules Bastien-Lepage will be standing here, at the France Square. This
magnificent gift by Auguste Rodin and Nicolas Sarkozy will forever
symbolize the eternal and unbreakable Armenian-French friendship,"
Serzh Sargsyan stated, adding that "for a number of reasons, France
and the Armenian-French relations have a special meaning for us." The
first and foremost - Armenians in Armenia and elsewhere love France.
The rich French culture, which left an indelible mark in the human
civilization and system of values are close and much cherished by
the Armenian people."
Our country has close historic ties with France and almost half a
million large Armenian community of France. "Historical, cultural
and civilization values which join us together became the pillar on
which the Armenian-French interstate relations were established and
now develop. France extended a helping hand to Armenia from day one
of our independence and supported us at the most exigent moments. In
the person of France we have a friend with whom we have shared our
joy and concerns," the Armenian President stated.
"Armenia has always been in the hearts of French people. Our countries
are very much alike," French President Nicolas Sarkozy stated,
in turn, adding that the terrible events at the turn of the last
century reinforced the friendship between the two peoples. "France
recognized the crime against a whole nation, calling it "genocide,"
Sarkozy said, repeating the word in Armenian.
"Turkey should look its history into the face," the French President
stated. "Despite the lasting blockade, the artificial isolation and
the sufferings, the 20-year-old Republic of Armenia has managed to
withstand all challenges thanks to the virtues of its people, their
diligence and the desire to succeed, features which admire Armenia's
friends, particularly France, convincing everyone that Armenia will
be able to withstand the future challenges, as well," he said.
"No country will understand what Nagorno Karabakh means to Armenia
better than France. Seventeen years after the war, which caused so
many deaths and sufferings, the time has come to resolve the conflict
and find the way to reconciliation. I'll also deliver this message
to President Aliyev in Baku. The history of France and Germany shows
that even the biggest pain can be softened and the deepest hatred
can be overcome, and even during the most difficult moments of their
history peoples can find the strength for reconciliation," Nicolas
Sarkozy said, adding that the friendship between Germany and France
is the cornerstone of European construction today.
"You, Armenians and Azerbaijanis, should choose this path. The time
has come for you to make a risky choice for peace, as there is no
bigger danger than the preservation of status-quo which gives birth
to illusions, provokes revenge and moves off all the prospects for
peace," he said.
"There exists one format to bolster the efforts of the international
community for the settlement of the Karabakh issue - the Minsk Group.
Each of three Co-Chair states enjoys the confidence of two sides and
is involved in the process of definition of conditions for conflict
settlement. But the Armenians and Azerbaijanis themselves should find
this path themselves. We can help, but we can never establish peace
instead of you," Sarkozy stated.
Alisa Gevorgyan
"Radiolur"
07.10.2011 17:41
Today, the Presidents of Armenia and France Serzh Sargsyan and Nicolas
Sarkozy, together with world-famous chansonnier Charles Aznavour
attended the official opening of the home-museum of the great singer
in Yerevan.
Later, at the France Square the Presidents of Armenia and France made
statements and unveiled the Auguste Rodin sculpture of painter Jules
Bastien-Lepage. The sculpture is a gift of the French Republic to
the Republic of Armenia.
Yerevan will hardly remember any warmer reception that this. Perhaps,
it was only the visit of the ex-President of France, Jacques Chirac,
created this much enthusiasm in the Armenian capital.
"This is a wonderful morning in Yerevan - amazing weather, great mood,
enjoyable ambience, and nice people. This is how we welcome our good
friend, my good friend, the President of France Nicolas Sarkozy. Mr.
President, we welcome you in the Motherland of the entire Armenian
nation, in the capital of the Republic of Armenia, which just days
ago celebrated its 20th anniversary," President Serzh Sargsyan stated.
"From now on the work of a French genius, the sculpture of painter
Jules Bastien-Lepage will be standing here, at the France Square. This
magnificent gift by Auguste Rodin and Nicolas Sarkozy will forever
symbolize the eternal and unbreakable Armenian-French friendship,"
Serzh Sargsyan stated, adding that "for a number of reasons, France
and the Armenian-French relations have a special meaning for us." The
first and foremost - Armenians in Armenia and elsewhere love France.
The rich French culture, which left an indelible mark in the human
civilization and system of values are close and much cherished by
the Armenian people."
Our country has close historic ties with France and almost half a
million large Armenian community of France. "Historical, cultural
and civilization values which join us together became the pillar on
which the Armenian-French interstate relations were established and
now develop. France extended a helping hand to Armenia from day one
of our independence and supported us at the most exigent moments. In
the person of France we have a friend with whom we have shared our
joy and concerns," the Armenian President stated.
"Armenia has always been in the hearts of French people. Our countries
are very much alike," French President Nicolas Sarkozy stated,
in turn, adding that the terrible events at the turn of the last
century reinforced the friendship between the two peoples. "France
recognized the crime against a whole nation, calling it "genocide,"
Sarkozy said, repeating the word in Armenian.
"Turkey should look its history into the face," the French President
stated. "Despite the lasting blockade, the artificial isolation and
the sufferings, the 20-year-old Republic of Armenia has managed to
withstand all challenges thanks to the virtues of its people, their
diligence and the desire to succeed, features which admire Armenia's
friends, particularly France, convincing everyone that Armenia will
be able to withstand the future challenges, as well," he said.
"No country will understand what Nagorno Karabakh means to Armenia
better than France. Seventeen years after the war, which caused so
many deaths and sufferings, the time has come to resolve the conflict
and find the way to reconciliation. I'll also deliver this message
to President Aliyev in Baku. The history of France and Germany shows
that even the biggest pain can be softened and the deepest hatred
can be overcome, and even during the most difficult moments of their
history peoples can find the strength for reconciliation," Nicolas
Sarkozy said, adding that the friendship between Germany and France
is the cornerstone of European construction today.
"You, Armenians and Azerbaijanis, should choose this path. The time
has come for you to make a risky choice for peace, as there is no
bigger danger than the preservation of status-quo which gives birth
to illusions, provokes revenge and moves off all the prospects for
peace," he said.
"There exists one format to bolster the efforts of the international
community for the settlement of the Karabakh issue - the Minsk Group.
Each of three Co-Chair states enjoys the confidence of two sides and
is involved in the process of definition of conditions for conflict
settlement. But the Armenians and Azerbaijanis themselves should find
this path themselves. We can help, but we can never establish peace
instead of you," Sarkozy stated.