Today Armenian National Assembly Speaker met with French Ambassador to Armenia Henry Cuny, who is completing his diplomatic mission, reported the RA NA press office. The French Ambassador said his departure doesn't mean that he says goodbye to the country. When covering his 5-year mission in Armenia the French diplomat remarked that these years were interesting and full of important work. As for the upcoming parliamentary election in 2007, Amb. Cuny said, it will be an examination for Armenia on the way towards democracy and it's very important to pass this examination.

For his part Tigran Torosian remarked that Henry Cuny leaves good but complex heritage for his successor, since the new Ambassador should maintain the achievements and continue the activities. The parties also referred to the French bill penalizing the Armenian Genocide denial. Quoting French President Jacques Chirac, who once said "They have missed the best opportunity to keep silent" on quite another matter, Tigran Torosian characterized the conduct of the organizations, which condemned the decision by the French parliament. In his words, the reaction of Turkey and Azerbaijan lacks any logic and rationality. The RA NA Speaker remarked that the bill doesn't purpose the objective to take somebody to prison but calls not to raise moral problems to a political wrangle. "Those who try to give a lesson of democracy to France looks somehow ridiculous," he said.

Henry Cuny was appointed French Ambassador to Slovakia.