President Khachaturyan, French delegation discuss cooperation

President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan on Tuesday received a delegation led by Fabrice Pannekoucke, President of the Regional Council of France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

The delegation also 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 delegation arrived in Armenia to participate in the 5th Armenia-France Decentralized Cooperation Forum.

According to a readout from the Presidential Office, welcoming the guests, President Khachaturyan highlighted the significance of decentralized cooperation in Armenian-French relations.

“Decentralized cooperation holds a special place in the ties between Armenia and France. It began in the 1990s, but has become even more important, especially following the events of 2020,” the President said.

President Khachaturyan expressed his appreciation for the support shown by French local authorities.

“The statements you have made, the decisions you have adopted and the practical steps you have taken have provided significant support to us. One of the key outcomes of this cooperation is the implementation of tangible projects in various regions of Armenia, including Syunik, Tavush, and Gegharkunik. These programs include  agriculture, healthcare, education, and support the development of local self-government capacities,” he noted.

The meeting focused on expanding the multifaceted agenda of Armenian-French cooperation and identifying new directions for collaboration. The two sides discussed opportunities for enhancing decentralized cooperation, with particular emphasis on ongoing and prospective programs in the fields of defense, energy, agriculture, education, infrastructure, healthcare, humanitarian aid, and environmental protection.

They also exchanged views on the importance of sharing professional expertise, providing technical assistance, implementing joint projects, and strengthening local capacity.

It was noted that cooperation between the cities of Armenia and France in the “sister cities” format is an important means of strengthening decentralized cooperation, which could also serve as a significant impetus for the implementation of programs at the community level.

The participants further emphasized the importance of fostering ties between the business communities of both countries to attract investments and strengthen trade and economic relations.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the commitment to deepening Armenian-French friendship and further developing a partnership based on mutual trust.