Oluşturulma Tarihi: Ekim 02, 2006 13:21
French President Jazques Chirac met with the leader of the Armenian Orthodox Church yesterday on the final day of his two day visit to Armenia. Chirac and Patriarch Karekin II came together to take a tour of Armenia's Etchmiadzine Cathedral yesterday, with Chirac writing the following in the cathedral's guest book:
"In memory of my visit to the spiritual heart of the Armenians, and the touching visit I have had with the great Armenian people......"
At a visit to a memorial for the so-called Armenian genocide in Yerevan two days ago, Chirac was asked by a reporter whether he thought Turkey should be forced to recognize Armenian claims of genocide as a pre-condition for EU membership. The French president responded:
"If we are going to speak honestly, yes, I do believe this is necessary."