YEREVAN. - France supports Armenia from the very first day we retrieved our independence, said the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on Thursday during the official dinner in honor of French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Armenian News-NEWS.am offers excerpts from the President Sargsyan’s toast at the dinner:

“Relations of Armenia and France have a long historic background. It is not coincidental that the last of Armenian kings Levon 6th lies in French soil, next to the kings of France.

Circles of mutual knowledge and coexistence of our people broadened on the dawn of 20th century – most fatal time for our nation. Hundreds of thousands of Armenians sought shelter and support in France after the Ottoman Empire committed the Armenian Genocide.

French society was never indifferent towards the fate of Armenia and Armenians. France supports us from the very first day we retrieved our independence, continually assisting us on the path of strengthening our statehood and supporting us in our gravest days. Armenian people and Armenia are thankful to France and French people.”