NEWS.am posts an e-mail interview with French Ambassador to Armenia Henri Reynaud.

Q.: How would you evaluate the passing year. What event would you single out as most memorable? In your view what role did the year 2010 play in the development of Armenia-France relations?

Further global economic growth was a great achievement of the year 2010 even if much has to be done yet. As regards Armenian-French relations, they received a serious impetus in all respects. President Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to Paris was a significant moment in our political dialogue. The visit followed the Armenian Defense Minister’s visit to France. As to the economic aspect, the Orange-Armenia Company has made serious progress, and I hope it will strengthen its positions. I hope the Armenian-French forum on decentralized management in Yerevan this October contributed to the bilateral intercity, intercommunity and interdistrict ties.

Q.: What expectations or hopes you have from 2011? What new programs, activities are planned in 2011?

I want the global economic balanced to be restored for the economic to resume its balanced progress. France will do its best to facilitate this process, particularly after taking over the G20 chairmanship from November 12. The main goals of reforms are stabilized trade in raw materials and improved management of international agencies. With respect to Armenian-French relations, Days of Francophonie in Armenia, Music Festival, as well as a conference of International Association of French-speaking mayors scheduled for next October.

Q.: Would you like to share your plans for the holidays?  Are you traveling or staying in Armenia for the holidays?

I will spend the Holidays in my native Bugey, France with my family members. I hope it will snow and the sun will be as a shining as the one I have seen in Armenia during my stay in the country since October.  I will be in Yerevan during Armenian Christmas.

Q.: Your wishes to the Armenian people.

I wish Armenia progress in finding a negotiation-based settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, substantial economic growth, determination in integrating with Europe. Armenia is rich in talents. I am impressed by Armenia’s confidence in itself and in its young people. Young people are Armenia’s future.