YEREVAN. – French Ambassador to Armenia Henri Reynaud gave an interview to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

As for the current level of Armenian-French relations, the Ambassador said that it is conditioned by the French President Nikolas Sarkozy’s visit to Armenia just after it celebrated the 20th anniversary of independence. Sarkozy congratulated the Armenians by his name and the name of the French people and confirmed the intention to cooperate with Armenia in overcoming challenges, which hinder the state to peace, democracy, economic growth and cultural dialogue.

The aspirations were marked with significant achievements for those 20 years. Soon 500th anniversary of the Armenian first published book will be celebrated to be another milestone in the history of our relations, added the envoy. According to him, significant work is done in the preparation of qualified specialists for Armenia.

The Ambassador stressed that the visit of the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in France and the visit of French President Sarkozy in Armenia opened new horizons of active cooperation. Three key directions were outlined, among them the intensification of projects on cultural, scientific and technical cooperation, as well as modernization of infrastructures in Yerevan and in the regions, and cooperation in the sphere of education.

Ambassador Reynaud added that in 2012 both Armenian and French nations will face elections (Armenia will have parliamentary elections, while France will elect the president). Taken that into account, the envoy wishes both nations to take brave decisions and meet the future with confidence and optimism.