Armenian PM, French delegation discuss ties

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has held a meeting with a delegation led by Fabrice Pannekoucke, President of the Regional Council of the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The delegation included Member of the French Senate and head of the Senate's France-Armenia Friendship Group Gilbert-Luc Devinaz, as well as several regional officials.

The multi-sector Armenia-France cooperation agenda, with particular focus on the need for deepening decentralized partnership, was discussed at the meeting, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a readout.

PM Pashinyan lauded the ongoing 5th Armenia-France Decentralized Cooperation Forum held in Goris, Syunik province as a vital platform for exchange of experience and inception of joint projects on the municipal level.

Speaking about the newly opened Honorary Consulate of France in Goris, the French delegation likewise stressed that the agency is aimed not only at strengthening diplomatic presence but expanding educational, cultural and humanitarian projects in Syunik region.

On behalf of the French Senate’s France-Armenia Friendship Group, Senator Gilbert-Luc Devinaz reiterated readiness to strenghten interparliamentary partnership, underscoring that the French legislative bodies will continue to support Armenia’s democratic development processes.

The sides also discussed the opportunities for deepening partnership in educational, cultural, environmental, local self-government and economic development sectors.

Prime Minister Pashinyan attached importance to the steady support and solidarity to Armenia by the French government, the leadership of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and the friendship group, stressing that the Armenia-France relationship is based on common values, historical friendship and mutual trust.