President Khachaturyan, Marseille Mayor discuss strengthening Armenia-France decentralized cooperation

President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan received a delegation led by the Mayor of the French city of Marseille, Benoît Payan.

According to the Presidential Office, welcoming the delegation’s visit to Armenia, President Khachaturyan stated: “France holds a special role and significance for the Republic of Armenia. Over the past thirty years, we have not had such relations. These relations are rooted in traditions and conditioned by the historical ties between our peoples. Marseille has a special role for us, as it warmly welcomed our compatriots who survived the Genocide.”

Expressing his appreciation for the reception, Mayor Benoît Payan noted: “Our visit is very significant and important for us because we represent Marseille, where Armenians have played and will certainly continue to play an important role. Marseille, as a city, carries a part of Armenianness within itself.”

During the meeting, the parties discussed the further development and expansion of decentralized cooperation between France and Armenia. The importance of strengthening ties between Marseille and Yerevan was positively emphasized.

Cooperation in the field of high technologies and existing joint programs, as well as the need to adopt and implement French best practices, were also highlighted. At the meeting views were exchanged on effective cooperation between Armenia and France in the defense sector, underlining the importance of continued efforts in this direction.

The parties also emphasized the importance of establishing stable and lasting peace in the region.

The Mayor of Marseille reaffirmed France’s full support for Armenia’s position on establishing peace within the framework of international law and principles, in adherence to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.