Wednesday, July 19 2023 14:12

ArmInfo. "As you know, France is fully committed to the peace process, and I have actively  supported our special envoy to the South Caucasus, Brice Roquefeuil's work, which he carried out at the instructions of President Macron and Minister of Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, who visited  Armenia in April this year," outgoing French Ambassador to Armenia Anne Louyot said in an interview with the ARMENPRESS news agency.

French Ambassador to Armenia Anne Louyot has called for a political  solution to end the violations of the 9 November 2020 trilateral  statement and guarantee the rights and security of the residents of  Nagorno Karabakh, while France will continue to do what's possible to  ensure progress, in coordination with the EU and the United States.

"We've condemned the blockade of Lachin Corridor, which is seriously  harming the population of Nagorno Karabakh, since December, and we  have called for the implementation of the International Court of  Justice ruling on restoring traffic along the corridor. We welcome  the ICRC efforts aimed at mitigating the consequences of the  humanitarian crisis resulting from the blockade, but a political  solution must be found to end the violations of the 9 November 2020  statement and to guarantee the rights and security of the residents  of Nagorno Karabakh. The global instability resulting from the  aggression unleashed by Russia against Ukraine doesn't ease the work,  but we continue to be mobilized.  That's why France, a permanent  member of the UN Security Council, initiated UNSC sessions in  September and December of 2022 on Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.  France, in coordination with the EU and US, will continue to do  what's possible to ensure progress in the negotiations process," she  said. 

As regards her visits to Armenia's border regions affected by the  Azerbaijani shelling in Syunik and her opinion of Azerbaijan's  conduct, the French diplomat said: 

"France supports the consistent efforts of the EU and the United  States in this direction. The EU civilian mission, launched on 23  January, 2023, is contributing to the peace process in border regions  through monitoring works. The result of this monitoring contributes  to the EU's mediation efforts, but we must further strengthen efforts  in order for the territorial sovereignty and human rights to be  respected.

"The close and permanent consultations between our two governments  and President Macron and Prime Minister Pashinyan reflects our  commitment and desire to expand the international community's support  for a fair and lasting peace. We are working in this direction." 

Summing up her diplomatic mission Louyot said: 

"Being assigned to Armenia has special importance for a French  diplomat, due to the ancient ties uniting our two peoples, which, as  Anatole France said, belong to the same family. The pantheonization  of Missak and Melinee Manouchian, ethnic Armenians who were French by  conviction, symbolizes the closeness of our two nations. I was  especially impressed by the resilience of the Armenian people,  ability to make future plans despite the difficult situation  resulting from the 2020 war. I highly appreciate the unique  hospitality of Armenians, their ties to their history and wonderful  heritage, as well as openness for other cultures and faiths. The  Armenian people can be a link even between countries which sometimes  have contradicting interests. This is an important ability, which I  hope it will remain committed to."

As to what legacy she is leaving behind for the new ambassador, she  said: 

"New ambassadors always continue their predecessor's work, based on  the instructions by their ministry, but they also bring their own  ideas and energy.  I am sure that my successor Olivier Decottignies  will continue the projects we started and will launch new ones.

"In addition to cooperation areas that need to be strengthened, I  would mention the economy, where we need additional efforts from both  sides in order to involve many French enterprises who want to start  activities in Armenia. Huge work has been done, particularly thanks  to the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement  (CEPA) to improve Armenia's business environment, which is  commendable. I've maintained regular contact with French companies  that are working here, whose example should encourage other  enterprises to benefit from the opportunities that Armenia's healthy  economic environment has to offer. In this sense, targeted and  sectoral promotion actions could be useful.

"The French University of Armenia must also be strengthened, whose  significant commitment jointly with the universities of Lyon and  Toulouse gives the chance to provide high quality education to 2000  Armenian students. I hope that the project to relocate the university  will be successful with support of the two governments. And finally,  the EU programs aimed at Armenia's development can serve to encourage  the activities of French organizations in Armenia based on clear,  jointly approved strategies. A stronger Armenia is a developed  Armenia."