President received the French Minister of State for Development and Francophony Annick Girardin

 Today, President Serzh Sargsyan received the French Minister of State for Development and Francophony Annick Girardin, who is also the Personal Representative of the President of France in the International Organization of Franchophony.

The President of Armenia welcomed Mrs. Girardin and her delegation in our country. The parties spoke with satisfaction about the special relations between Armenia and France and about the centuries’ long friendship of the Armenian and French peoples which is anchored in the solid historical and cultural foundation. With this regard, President Sargsyan viewed it as natural that since Armenia’s independence the Armenian-French interstate relations have been constantly progressing: the high level political dialogue has intensified visibly as well as the interparliamentary ties, regions and cities of Armenia and France are establishing new relations, the economic cooperation and legal field have expanded, cultural and scientific exchange has deepened.

The President of Armenia expressed gratitude to the French government for the assistance provided so far for the social and economic development of the country and with this regard highlighted the importance of the programs which are being realized in our country by the French Development Agency since 2013. The parties underscored the importance of expanding cooperation with new initiatives after the example of the already efficiently realized programs, particularly, in the area of sustainable development, which, according to the interlocutors, will further strengthen friendly relations between Armenia and France. Touched were also issues related to the French companies operating in Armenia.

At the meeting, the President of Armenia and French Minister of State for Development and Francophony hailed Armenia’s cooperation with the International Organization of Francophony and underlined that Armenia – a relatively new member of the Organization – has been able to occupy its worthy place among the Francophone countries and today is perceived as one of the most active members of the Organization. Serzh Sargsyan and Annick Girirdin discussed also possibilities and prospects of cooperation in this format too.