President received delegation from Bouches-du-Rhône: France is a special country for Armenia and the Armenian people

President Armen Sarkissian received today the delegation of Bouches-du-Rhône department of France (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region) headed by the Chairperson of the Council Mrs. Martine Vassal.

The President welcomed the guests and underscored that France is a special country for Armenia and the Armenian people.

He assessed as outstanding the support provided by France and the French people to the survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Noting that cooperation of the Armenian and French people dates back centuries, the President of Armenian underlined that the cordial relations are maintained today as well which is testified to also by the close cooperation with the Bouches-du-Rhône department.

Mrs. Vassal informed that the department is cooperating successfully with a number of Armenia’s regions in the economic, social, healthcare, and cultural areas, and her visit to Armenia is aimed at familiarizing with the works carried out in the framework of the assumed obligations.

The President expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation established between Armenia and Bouches-du-Rhône department and with this regard underscored in particular the importance of the heart clinic opened in Goris for the population of the region. “Thousands of lives are being saved through your help, and we highly value this initiative.”

The parties stressed the importance of developing and deepening the cooperation between Armenia and Bouches-du-Rhône department in the area of healthcare, as well as science, research, education, and cultural areas.

Mrs. Vassal hailed the role of the Armenian community of Provence in the development of the region, “Without Armenians, Provence would not be Provence,” she underscored.