SERZH SARGSYAN: SOONER OF LATER TURKEY WILL BE COMPELLED TO ACCEPT THE TRUTH

http://www.armradio.am/en/2012/11/14/serzh-sargsyan-sooner-of-later-turkey-will-be-compelled-to-accept-the-truth/
16:01 14.11.20120

In the framework of his official visit to France, President
Serzh Sargsyan on November 13 left for Lyon, which has a large and
well-organized Armenian community, where he met with the Mayor of Lyon,
Senator Gerard Collomb, President's Press Office reported.

The parties spoke with satisfaction about the well-established and
efficient cooperation between Yerevan and Lyon which already has
some history and highly valued Armenian-French partnership which is
developing in that format. From that point of view, stressed was the
importance of the traditionally regular and reciprocal visits of the
representatives of the two City Halls.

President Serzh Sargsyan expressed gratitude to Gerard Collomb for
his continued interest towards Armenia and issues which concern
Armenians, as well as for the multifaceted assistance, particularly,
Senator Collomb's indispensable contribution to the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide and his input in the development of the relations
between Yerevan and Lyon. The President of Armenia expressed confidence
that the Armenian-French friendship will continue to strengthen also
thanks to the activities and friendship of Armenia's and France's
sister towns.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Mayor of Lyon, Senator Gerard
Collomb hosted an official dinner in honor of President Serzh Sargsyan.

In Lyon, President Sargsyan met also with the representatives of
the business community of France. At the meeting in the Trade and
Industry Chamber of Rhône-Alpes - one of the major industrial regions
of France, President Serzh Sargsyan made a statement. He spoke of
recent initiatives and developments which were of interest for the
entrepreneurs of France and Lyon in particular, implemented reforms,
Armenian-French economic ties, historical trade relations and prospects
of deepening these relations. Serzh Sargsyan noted that if existing
Armenian-French potential in that area is fully and efficiently
realized, economic opportunities of independent Armenia will allow
to increase considerably, even multiply the turnover between the
two countries.

"The Armenian-French Business Club has been functioning in Armenia
since last year, and yesterday the President of France Francois
Hollande suggested transforming it into the Trade and Industry
Chamber. We accept that proposal with great pleasure. The Club
provides professional and information support, organizes regular
thematic roundtables and serves to strengthen the French business
community in Armenia and ensure a greater involvement of the French
companies in the Armenian market. At the same time, I highly value
the forthcoming programs of the French Development Agency aimed at
the enhancement of Armenia's advancement. We pin great hopes on the
activities of that Agency since we are aware of its capabilities,
since we are aware of the desire of the French leadership and since
we are ready to do our best to make the Agency's activities in Armenia
a success," President Sargsyan said.

The President of Armenia wished success to the entrepreneurs who
participated at the meeting in their future activities and joint
programs for the benefit of the Armenian-French relations and
strengthening of the friendship of the two nations.

Later, at the City Hall of Lyon, Mayor Gerard Collomb hosted a
reception in honor of the President of Armenia which was attended
also by the representatives of the Armenian-French community. At the
reception, President Serzh Sargsyan was bestowed the Medal of Honor
of Lyon.

"Vivid proofs of friendship between Yerevan and Lyon are to be found in
the center of the multinational Lyon where the Saint Hakop Apostolic
Church is located on the Armenia Street, a memorial dedicated to the
victims of the Armenian Genocide installed at the Place Bellecour,
and finally memories are fresh of the Lyon Garden opened last year
in Yerevan, which was officially inaugurated in the presence of
Mr. Collomb.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Each time I visit France, I feel like I am home and somewhat
unintentionally I mentally turn the pages of our unshakeable
friendship's rich memory book which contains amazing parallels. And
then comes the unwitting desire to say "thanks" to you, dear people
of France, dear citizens of Lyon for being by our side during our
most ominous tragedies.

We are approaching the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
and we have to make our national struggle more organized so that this
crime against humanity is never committed again. I am confident that
sooner of later, Turkey will be compelled to accept the truth. It
is probably the minimum of what's needed for having relations with
Europe, and it was stated explicitly yesterday by the President of
France Mr. Hollande,President Sargsyan said."

Concluding his three-day official visit to France, today delegation
headed by President Serzh Sargsyan will return to Yerevan.