Hollande stated that the European Union should upgrade its relationship with Armenia to political “association†despite Yerevan’s plans to join the Russian-led Customs Union.
“We are not forcing Armenia to make a choice that runs counter to Armenia’s interests. I spoke with Serzh Sarkisian about that during his visit to France [last autumn,]†Hollande told the forum attended by several dozen French businesspeople.
“We need to devise a Europe-Armenia association that would not constrain you with regard to the Customs Union plans that you have with Russia,†he said. The EU and Armenia can work out a model for such association, he added.
Hollande’s remarks suggest that the Armenian government might now count on French support for the idea. Sarkisian insisted on it in a speech at an EU summit in Dublin held late last month. He said his country must not be made to “pay a price†for moving even closer to Russia.
France has traditionally been a key EU backer of Armenia, owing, in large measure, to the existence of a large and influential French-Armenian community. Hollande underscored the community’s clout later on Monday when he attended with Sarkisian a concert of French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour. The two presidents will inaugurate on Tuesday a small park in Yerevan renamed after Missak Manouchian, a prominent member of the French Resistance movement executed by the Nazis in 1944.
Presidents Sarkisian and t Hollande visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex, laid a wreath at the memorial to the victims of the Armenian Genocide and placed flowers at the eternal fire .
The French President also planted a fir tree at the Memory Park of the Memorial Complex.
French President Francois Holland Visits Armenia
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