Armenia: Questions Surround French President’s Visit

Opinions are divided about the purpose of French President Jacques Chirac's recent state visit to Armenia, with some observers contending that the mission had more to do with Turkey's candidacy for European Union membership than with the South Caucasus state itself.

Armenian officials presented the September 29-October 1 visit as a sign of the country's growing regional importance; the country was the second Commonwealth of Independent States member visited by Chirac after Russia. "I believe that the visit of President Chirac was