ArmInfo.On January 17, Acting Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, who is on a working visit to France, met with UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay, the press service of the Foreign Ministry informs.
According to the source, during the meeting the acting Foreign Minister introduced the newly appointed Permanent Representative of Armenia to UNESCO and, concurrently, the Personal Representative of the Prime Minister of Armenia to the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) Christian Ter- Stepanyan, expressing confidence that the newly appointed permanent representative will make a significant contribution to the development of cooperation between Armenia and UNESCO, as well as in the implementation of joint projects and initiatives with the Organization.
Zohrab Mnatsakanyan confirmed the commitment of Armenia to actively engage in the work of the Organization in accordance with the main objectives of UNESCO. In this regard, the Foreign Minister stressed the inadmissibility of inappropriate attempts to politicize the UNESCO platform, which does not allow focusing on the main mission of the Organization, namely, encouraging cooperation between countries through culture, as well as in promoting peace and security among nations. The interlocutors exchanged views on the initiation and implementation of joint programs for the preservation and restoration of the world cultural heritage.
During the meeting, the Armenian Foreign Minister and the UNESCO Director General also touched upon the outcome of the Francophonie Summit held in Yerevan in 2018, exchanged views on cooperation and implementation of joint programs by the International Organization of Francophonie and UNESCO, which, according to the Acting Minister, is one of the priorities of Armenia`S chairmanship in OIF. Mnatsakanyan also met with the Secretary General of the OIF Louise Mushikiwabo. During the meeting, the sides discussed the Francophonie Forum held in Yerevan. The Armenian acting Foreign Minister and the OIF Secretary-General agreed that the decisions taken during the summit and the agreements reached created good prerequisites for further deepening cooperation in various areas of the French-speaking region.
Zohrab Mnatsakanyan presented to the OIF Secretary General the priorities of Armenia during its chairmanship in the Organization, as well as the upcoming programs. The acting Minister noted that Armenia expects close cooperation with the OIF. As a priority, the promotion of the trade and economic component with the states of the French-speaking region was emphasized. Mnatsakanyan also stressed that during its chairmanship at the OIF summit, Armenia will continue to take active steps to solve the problems facing the organization and enhance its reputation in the international arena, including the development of close cooperation with international and regional organizations such as the UN , UNESCO, Council of Europe.