PARIS, MARCH 11, NOYAN TAPAN. A meeting of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and French President Nicolas Sarkozy took place at the Elysee Palace on March 10. The two presidents discussed the Nagorno Karabakh peace process (France is one of the three Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group), issues related to regional security, Armenia-Turkey normalization process, as well as other subjects of mutual interest. Presidents Sargsyan and Sarkozy also spoke about further deepening of the bilateral economic and trade ties, expansion of cooperation in the humanitarian area, and exchanged views on Armenia-EU relations. The press service of the Armenian president reports that the two sides agreed to continue high level contacts on a regular basis. Then President Sarkozy gave official dinner in honor of the Armenian President. Expressing thanks to President Sarkozy for the invitation to pay an official visit to France, Serzh Sargsyan highly praised the high level of the political dialogue existing between the two friendly nations. The President of Armenia noted that for the further deepening of genial relations between Armenia and France it is important to maintain regular contacts and conduct reciprocal visits, exchange views on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. He also said that in Armenia, as well as in the Armenian communities all over the world, France is perceived as a close friend, an ally and a reliable partner in international affairs, which endows the Armenian-French relations with special meaning. President Sargsyan noted with satisfaction that relations between Armenia and France are developing vigorously in all areas. The President of Armenia once again thanked the people of France and President Sarkozy for the principled and unwavering position regarding the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. President Sarkozy underlined that in France, Armenia and the Armenian nation are regarded with fondness, while the Armenian-French community is an indestructible bridge between the two countries and the two peoples. Nicolas Sarkozy reiterated his country's determination to develop relations with Armenia in all directions and underlined that France has been and remains Armenia's friend and will always stand by its side.

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