ArmInfo. France is introducing a structured system of assistance to the Armenian population affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Ambassador of France to Armenia Jonathan Lacote said this on his Facebook page.
The diplomat recalled that at the request of the President and the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, France is making coordinated efforts to provide assistance to the Armenian population affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. According to him, this event, managed by a committee within the Crisis Support Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Europe, mobilizes the state, associations of solidarity with Armenia, humanitarian organizations united under the Coordination SUD, business funds and hospitals.
Lacote stressed that aid is being provided in three key areas, in particular:
"First, after the first emergency operations in recent weeks, which included sending of surgeons and medical equipment to Armenia, numerous humanitarian flights are organized. The first cargo flight arrived in Yerevan on Sunday. It delivered to Yerevan the ambulance equipment sent by the French authorities, in particular a first-aid post, which will allow serving up to 500 people, as well as blankets and hygiene kits for distribution to victims of the conflict. The second plane is planning to arrive in Yerevan on November 27, in its cargo will be consolidated state funds, donations, collected by the solidarity associations cooperating with Armenia.
Secondly, in continuation of the mission of doctors who arrived in Armenia in October, attention is paid to strengthening cooperation between the medical institutions of the two countries. Financial assistance will be provided by the French Foreign Ministry. France has already mobilized hospitals in Paris and Marseille, as well as a hospital in Lyon.
Thirdly, support will be provided for programs implemented in Armenia by humanitarian organizations or UN agencies. France will provide these institutions with direct financial support on the ground. "
At the same time, the French Ambassador informed that the French local authorities, some of which are already actively supporting the projects being implemented in Armenia, were invited to contribute in the three above-mentioned directions.
According to the French diplomat, this humanitarian aid system is aimed at responding to the emergency situation caused by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
In conclusion, Lacote stressed that France, as co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, together with Russia and the United States, remains fully mobilized to find a lasting solution to this conflict.