Yerevan/Mediamax/. President of France Nicolas Sarkozy is looking forward to his state visit to Armenia due to be held next week.

Mediamax reports quoting the presidential press service that the French leader said this in Paris during the meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

Nicolas Sarkozy pointed out that France is Armenia’s friend and will always be by its side. He noted with satisfaction that France is the second country by the volume of investments in Armenia and will continue coming up with new projects.

“We are proud of our friendship with France and attach extreme significance to close relations between two countries,” Serzh Sargsyan said.

Armenian and French leaders discussed issues of cooperation in the spheres of energy, development of infrastructures, education and culture. They also touched upon regional problems and the process of settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Serzh Sargsyan also met with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon. The interlocutors highlighted the importance of attraction of French companies’ experience in energy projects including the works for the construction of a new Nuclear Power Plant in Armenia. The French PM noted that a group of specialists will visit Armenia to jointly discuss the prospects of cooperation.

The Armenian leader also held a meeting with the Chairman of the National Assembly of France, Bernard Accoyer.