Armenia attaches great importance to the key role of France in the  peaceful settlement of the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict: Pashinyan

ArmInfo.Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan sent a congratulatory message to the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron on the occasion of  the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations  between the two countries. 

As the press service of the RA Prime Minister reports, the message  runs as follows,

"Honorable Mr. President, Dear Emmanuel,

February 24, 1992 is a memorable day for the Republic of Armenia and  the French Republic. Thirty years ago today, Armenia, which opened  the page of its modern history with the declaration of independence,  established diplomatic relations with the French Republic.

Thus, the centuries-old Armenian-French interactions and friendship,  strengthened by the presence of the Armenian community in France,  acquired an interstate framework for further development.

I have to note with satisfaction that over the past three decades,  Armenia and France have managed to establish a unique relations based  on close political dialogue, regular high-level contacts, active  parliamentary cooperation, decentralized partnership, as well as  multisectoral cooperation in economy, education, science, culture,  healthcare and other areas.

We attach great importance to the close cooperation with France  within the frames of European structures and international  organizations.

For Armenia, as an active member of the International Organization of  La Francophonie, holding the Francophonie Summit in Yerevan in autumn  2018 was of exceptional importance, in the sidelines of which it was  a special honor to host you in our country. I would like to note that  the French University in Armenia, which is one of the most  significant achievements of our bilateral relations in educational  field and plays a vital role in Armenia's higher education system,  brings its valuable contribution to the spread of Francophonie in our  country.

We highly appreciate the valuable commitment of France to assist  Armenia's economic development which is reflected in the  Armenian-French economic cooperation development roadmap signed in  Paris on December 9, 2021 and defines our common commitment to raise  our bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, new  technologies and healthcare absolutely to a new level and quality in  the next five years.  Moreover, the importance on deepening the  comprehensive partnership with France is for the first time reflected  in the Armenian Government's five-year Action Plan.

The recognition of the Armenian Genocide by law by France as the  first country and declaring April 24 as an Armenian Genocide  Remembrance Day in France by your presidential decree are of special  importance in the history of the interstate relations of Armenia and  France. With this step France once again showed its solidarity with  Armenia and the Armenian people, as well as its deep dedication to  the universal values.  France is always careful and consistent with  the protection of Armenia's vital interests and the fundamental  rights of the Armenian people. We highly appreciate the clear  positions and solidarity of France and yours personally during the  military aggression against Nagorno Karabakh, as well as your  resolute efforts and commitments to resist the geopolitical and  humanitarian problems caused by the war, including in the  preservation of the historical-cultural heritage of Artsakh.

Armenia also attaches great importance to France's key role together  with the other OSCE Minsk Group Co- Chair countries - Russia and the  United States, in the peaceful settlement process of the Nagorno  Karabakh conflict, which aims at clarifying the status of Nagorno  Karabakh with the guarantee of the right of Artsakh- Armenians to  self-determination.

Today, the relations between Armenia and France mark their 30th  anniversary with important achievements, which, I am confident, will  continue deepening and expanding with our joint efforts, opening new  bright pages in the history of the Armenian-French unique relations  for the perpetuation of the Armenian-French brotherly friendship.   Looking forward to meeting with you soon and continuing our regular  discussions, please accept, Mr.  President, the assurance of my  highest consideration".