"No other country can understand Armenians better"
French music was performed at Yerevan's French Square today morning. One could see groups of students and citizens waving Armenian and French flags and holding French posters.
After opening the Museum after Charles Aznavour in Yerevan, Armenian and French leaders, Serzh Sargsyan and Nikolas Sarkozy, went to French Square to unveil a sculpture by Auguste Rodin. The sculpture was presented to Armenia by France.
During the opening ceremony, Serzh Sargsyan underlined France's role in the history of the Armenian people. He thanked the French people for giving shelter to hundreds of thousands of Armenians, who escaped the 1915 Genocide in the Ottoman Empire.
"This generous gift in the heart of Yerevan will symbolize the eternal and inviolable friendship between Armenia and France. Armenians here and abroad love France, its culture and values. Armenian-French ties go centuries back. France supports Armenia's efforts for resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and rendered invaluable assistance after the 1988 earthquake. God bless France and Armenian-French friendship," he said.
For his turn, Nikolas Sarkozy, recalled world-known French Armenians and emphasized the friendly relations between the two countries.
"France recognized the crime against Armenians, calling it genocide," said the French leader.
"No other country but France knows how deep the Armenian wound is. But we also know that all wounds are curable and the gap existing between the two peoples can be filled," Sarkozy said urging the sides for reconciliation.
The French President called on the sides to continue the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
At the end of his speech Sarkozy said in Armenian, "Long live Armenia, long live France!"
