“House of Armenia” to be established in Paris and “House of France” in Yerevan – Armenian President visits Paris Municipality

PARIS, MARCH 8, ARMENPRESS. In the sidelines of the official visit to France President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan met with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, the correspondent of “Armenpress” reports from Paris that following the meeting the President of Armenia and Paris Mayor gave speeches in front of the Armenian community in Paris at the "Banquet Hall" of Paris municipality.

“It’s a pleasure for me to again visit Paris – a city which encountered numerous waves during its history but never sank, instead, continued to flourish eternally remaining a unique cradle of civilization. It’s said that just walking in Paris one learns about history, beauty and the meaning of life”, President of Armenia said.

According to the President of Armenia, it’s also thanks to Anne Hidalgo that decentralized cooperation, particularly with Paris, takes a significant share of the Armenian-French cooperation agenda. “I greatly appreciate the fact that you stand with us in crucial moments for us, I mean your visits to Yerevan during the events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the festive events marking the 2798th anniversary of Armenia. An of course, Mrs. Hidalgo, we will be happy if you visit Yerevan next year in the period when we will celebrate the 2800th anniversary of our capital city, the capital of all Armenians”, addressing Paris Mayor, President Sargsyan said, adding that he is extremely happy for Yerevan and Paris are sister cities and cooperation between them strengthens day by day.

“I would like to specially focus on our activities in the sidelines of the Association of Francophone Mayors. Thank to this cooperation favorable conditions have been established in a number of schools in Yerevan for advanced study of French, as well as music, art centers and libraries have been renovated and refurbished. The city with most libraries in the world is exemplary for us. As a result of this partnership the French breath is more palpable in our capital. I hope the projects underway will also be a success and a “House of Armenia” will be established in Paris and “House of France” in Yerevan which will help Armenian and French people to feel like at home in the capitals of one another”, President Sargsyan stated.

According to the Armenian president, just being in Paris one can understand why dozens of thousands of Armenian genocide survivals gave preference to France. “Even trading is a culture here, while culture is a lifestyle. Those people came to you and thanks to your hospitability they became law-abiding citizens of France, respected and demanded specialists”, President Sargsyan said, and addressing to his compatriots in the hall, added, “It can be confidently stated that you have had you contribution to the development of French culture and economy. Adopting the best French practice, you enriched it with unique Armenian colors”, the Armenian president said, adding that they make Armenia more powerful, more widely recognized. “Be sure, you are always welcome in Armenia as a friend, partner, tourist and an inseparable part of the Armenian people. You are welcome in Armenia to share both your achievements and hardships”, Serzh Sargsyan underlined, bringing the example of thousands of Syrian-Armenians who have found shelter in Armenia amid the Syrian crisis.

Concluding his speech, the President of the Republic of Armenia once again thanked Anne Hidalgo for her personal contribution in deepening relations between Yerevan and Paris. “It was by you decision that in 2015 the lights of the Eiffel tower were switched off as a sign of respect towards the memory of the Armenian genocide victims. Let these lights always remain on as a sign of externalization of Armenian-French friendship. I am very grateful”, President Serzh Sargsyan concluded.