On December 8 RA NA President Mr Hovik Abrahamyan received the deputies of the National Assembly of France, Chairman of the France-Armenia Friendship Group Francois Rochebloine and the Deputy Chairman Mr Rene Rouquet, who were in Armenia at the NA President’s invitation to take part at the memory ceremonies of the 20^th anniversary of the 1988 disastrous earthquake. Mr Ara Babloyan, head of NA Armenia-France Friendship Group and Mr Avet Aonts, Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on European Integration attended the meeting.

NA President Mr Hovik Abrahamyan noted that inviting them to Armenia during the 20^h anniversary of the 1988 earthquake, he would like once again to express his gratitude to Armenia and the Armenian people for their support and warm attitude. In December 1988 Armenia has become the center of attention of the world, and dozens of countries hurried to give humanitarian aid to the suffered the people, among them France was one of the first countries that sent to Armenia its rescuers, doctors and builders. The NA President noted that according to the government’s programme, 71bn drams would be allocated for the construction of residential houses (600.000 square metres) till 2012, in order to solve finally the issue of providing houses the families deprives of houses because of earthquake. In the respect of the development of the Armenian-French business ties Mr Abrahamyan noted with content that in Armenia the French companies Pernod Ricard, Viola, Saur work in Armenia, and Orange added this list. Touching upon the Armenian-French inter-parliamentary relations the NA President stressed the active work and mutual visits of the Parliamentary Friendship groups, which could greatly promote the development of the relations in other spheres. The President of the Parliament also expressed gratitude for the adoption of the law on Negation of the Genocide in the National Assembly of France. The support of France for Armenia’s Euro Integration was also highlighted. Mr Abrahamyan officially invited to Armenia Mr Bernard Accoyer, President of the National Assembly of France.

The head of the France-Armenia Friendship Group Mr Francois Rochebloine is in Armenia for the 17^th time. First time he came to Armenia in 1990, and in his word, during those days and these days he had seen completely another Gyumri. He told the NA President about the commemoration ceremonies that took place in Gyumri on December 7, which arose a lot of moments of excitement him and Mr Rouquet. Mr Rochebloine also noted the big role of the Armenian community of France in sending the humanitarian aid. He highlighted Armenia’s joining the Francophonie international organization, which is also another evidence of the French-Armenian friendship. The deputies of the National Assembly of France also touched upon the Days of Armenia in France, which made the far away Armenia closer and dearer for the French people.

During the meeting the parties also touched upon the cooperation of the French deputies and NA delegation in PACE and other issues.

The head of the France-Armenia Friendship Group Mr Francois Rochebloine and deputy head Mr Rouquet met the head of the NA Armenia-France Friendship Group, NA Standing Committee on Health Care, group members – Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Mr Armen Rustamyan and Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on European Integration Mr Avet Aonts.

Highly assessing the current level of the Armenian-French multi-lateral relations Mr Babloyan highlighted the further development of the inter-parliamentary relations and cooperation in international structures. Expressing gratitude for the adoption of the draft law on the Negation of the Genocide by the National Assembly of France, Mr Babloyan noted that it put at a new level the attitude of the world community towards the Armenian Genocide.

The head of the France-Armenia Friendship Group Mr Francois Rochebloine also considered necessary also the further activation of the Armenian-French partnership, highlighting the development of the inter-parliamentary relations and the deepening of cooperation in international organizations. The guests noted that the great amount of work done in the earthquake zone is noticeable during the last years.

During the meeting the parties touched upon the procedure of the fulfillment of the resolutions 1609 and 1620. Mr Rustamyan noted that on December 17 the preliminary report of the CE Commissioner for Human Rights Mr Thomas Hammarberg would be presented at the meeting of PACE Monitoring Committee on the procedure of the fulfillment of the resolutions, which will be submitted at PACE January session.

During the meeting the perspectives of the development of bilateral relations were discussed, as well other issues of bilateral interest.