Foreign visits
Working visit of President Armen Sarkissian to Paris
President Armen Sarkissian, who is in Paris on a working visit, met with the Managing Partner of the annual Summit of Minds in Chamonix, founder of the analytical The Monthly Barometer journal and author Thierry Malleret.
The parties reached an agreement to conduct a similar summit next year in Armenia.
The Summit of Minds is a reputable platform where the heads of the leading world companies and investors discuss the trends of the global economic development, issues related to investment opportunities. The Summit of Mind precedes the annual Economic Global Forum in Davos and is known under the Small Davos name.
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President Armen Sarkissian held in Paris meetings with the leaders of a number of major French companies and discussed with them Armenia’s business environment, investment attraction issues, and opportunities to establish business ties.
In particular, President Sarkissian visited the famous Dassault Systemes Company, familiarized with the ongoing programs and activities. Armen Sarkissian and the leadership of the Company have established warm relations long ago.
At the meeting, the parties reached an agreement to dispatch a group to Armenia at the beginning of the next year to discuss concrete programs of cooperation.
Dassault Systemes is a subsidiary of the Dassault Group major French company. It is providing program security for the systems in the military and industrial areas. The Group is active also in providing logistic systems, hybrid electrical vehicles, real estate, wine production, and other areas.
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The President of Armenia met with the leadership of THALES - one of the leading companies in the area of aerospace industry headed by the Vice President of the Company Rafael Ashkenazi. The parties discussed issues related to the possible areas of cooperation with the Armenian companies and investments.
THALES Group is functioning in different countries of the world and is active in the area of design and construction of electric systems, providing services at the markets of aerospace, defense, transportation, and security.
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At the meeting of President Armen Sarkissian with the co-founder of the OpenClassrooms organization Pier Dubuc, the parties reached an agreement to open in Armenia a branch of the firm.
OpenClassrooms is an online teaching platform which provides lessons in information technologies, entrepreneurship, and digital technology. It has 2.5 million users all over the world, and classes are offered in English, French, and Spanish. The firm aims at making education accessible.
President Armen Sarkissian met with the Secretary General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay at the Organization’s headquarters in Paris.
The President of Armenia and Secretary General of UNESCO discussed Armenia’s active involvement in the framework of the Organization and issues related to representing at this Organization the culture and values of our country in the best possible way.
The parties spoke also about the UNESCO initiative on the restoration of the cultural heritage of Mosul. Iraq. In that context, discussed was the implementation of a joint program with the Matenadaran in Yerevan.
The Secretary General of UNESCO hailed Armenia’s efforts and successful experience related to the integration of refugees from Syria, including their right for education.
The two sides underscored the importance and necessity of encouraging diversity, all-human values, and tolerance through the joint cultural and educational programs.
The President of Armenia invited the attention to Gyumri’s ancient and rich cultural heritage, to the structures which are valuable from the historical and architectural point of view. Noting that many of them currently remain in a rather dismal condition, the President viewed as desirable UNESCO’s participation to their preservation and restoration works. In this context, discussed were the opportunities of UNESCO’s assistance in the restoration of a historic structure in Gyumri.