Thursday, March 10 2022 10:39

ArmInfo.Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and French President Emmanuel Macron took part in the final plenary session of the conference entitled "Ambitions: Armenia-  France" in Paris.

The forum was attended by a number of representatives of the  governments and local governments of Armenia and France, the local  Armenian community and the French business community.

In his speech, Prime Minister Pashinyan particularly said,

"Honorable Mr. President, Dear Emmanuel,

Distinguished Members of the Government of France and Armenia, Dear  friends,

It is a great honor to be here today, in Paris, at the final meeting  of the "Ambitions: Armenia-France" conference dedicated to the 30th  anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between  Armenia and France, organized by the friendly French government under  the auspices of President Emmanuel Macron.

On the occasion of this important anniversary, I would like to  confirm that relations between our countries have been and are at the  highest level, and this period is characterized as a thirty-year  period of continuous growth, unique relations of friendship and close  cooperation.

Today in Paris, in the presence of the President of France,  representatives of the Armenian community, on behalf of Armenia and  the Armenian people, I express my gratitude for the exceptionally  warm relations and friendship over these years.

Yes, we, the Armenians, are grateful to brotherly France for the  sincere and unselfish support that it has provided to our republic  over the past thirty years, as well as for listening to the Armenian  people and their just aspirations. We do not forget the fact that  France is the first country to officially recognize the Armenian  Genocide by law, and the only country that, together with Armenia,  has been commemorating April 24 at the state level during the past  four years.

One of the most important achievements of the last thirty years is  the establishment of close and direct contacts between the local  governments of Armenia and France and the implementation of new  programs.

One of the important pillars of the Armenian-French relations is  educational cooperation, which also contributes to the spread of  Francophonie in our country. This is evidenced by the dynamic  cooperation between the French University in Armenia, the  French-Armenian Professional Educational Center, the French Lyceum  named after Anatole France, as well as a number of educational  institutions through the close cooperation with the Jean Moulin  University Lyon 3. The French Institute in Armenia has also joined  these institutions, and we highly appreciate your active  participation, Mr. President, in the decision to establish it.  Located in the Aznavour Center, this institute provides Armenian  youth with a unique opportunity to receive education and upbringing  in the spirit of the Great Armenian, the Great Frenchman and the  symbol of Armenian-French friendship - Charles Aznavour.

We welcome the idea of an ambitious development program for the  French University in Armenia, and I would like to confirm that the  Armenian government is ready to support the implementation of this  important initiative.

We also thank France for sharing the Armenian success: Tumo centers  in Paris and Lyon are a prime example of cooperation in the field of  innovative education and an inspiration for Armenia.

We are thankful to France for sharing Armenia's success. The opening  of TUMO centers in Paris, and recently in Lyon is a shining example  of cooperation in the field of innovative education and it was  inspiring for Armenia.

New programs are being outlined in addition to the existing  cooperation with Paris and Lyon Hospital Network, Doctors Without  Borders, and Armenian medical institutions. Cooperation in this area  was best demonstrated during and after the recent Artsakh war, when  several dozen doctors arrived in Armenia to treat the wounded  Armenians.

As for cooperation within international organizations, I could not  fail to mention the Francophonie Summit held in Armenia in 2018,  which was the largest international event in our country since  Armenia's independence.

Honorable Mr. President,

Dear attendees,

Following the 44-day war in 2020, as well as in the context of the  current global challenges, Armenia today has a vital need to  strengthen its economy, to bring new breath to its economic policy,  including by attracting new investment programs.

We are glad that after the war France expressed political will to  support Armenia economically, to foster the Armenian-French economic  cooperation in a new way.

Having successful examples of the presence of the French capital in  Armenia- "Amundi-Acba", "Veolia", "Pernod Ricard", "Carrefour", as  well as a number of programs implemented by the French Development  Agency, the five-year roadmap for cooperation signed between Armenia  and France in December last year provides a wide range of  opportunities and is a strong basis for promoting ambitious  cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare  and high technology.

Today's conference, its rich and impressive agenda, is the logical  continuation of the consistent steps taken in recent months, and one  of the first steps towards the implementation of the signed roadmap.  Therefore, let me express conviction that the discussions that took  place during the conference and the contacts between the Armenian and  French partners will be really effective, leading to the launch of a  fruitful working cooperation and the implementation of new and  promising programs. On behalf of the Armenian government, I can  assure you that we will spare no effort and energy for the effective  implementation of joint programs.

Dear friends,

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, let us not  forget that these three decades are only a piece in the rich mosaic  of Armenian-French interactions and relations. Since the Middle Ages,  the Armenian-French contacts have been permanent and multi-layered.  It is enough to mention the close relations and cultural interactions  between the French Kingdom and the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia in the  Middle Ages. One of its greatest symbols is the last king of Armenian  Cilicia,Levon VI Lusinyan, whose relics are buried in the Basilica of  Saint-Denis, next to the famous kings of France.

The living symbol of modern Armenian-French relations is the presence  of a vibrant Armenian community of 700,000 in France, which is one of  the strong driving forces of our effective cooperation, the guarantor  of unhindered cooperation and perpetual brotherhood between our  peoples.

I cannot but refer to the 44-day war, the solidarity shown by France  in those days with the Armenian people. In particular, I would like  to remind that President Macron was the first world leader who gave a  clear and impartial assessment of the events that were taking place.  In the same way, the French society stood with Armenia in the most  difficult moment, which was also expressed in the resolutions adopted  by the French Senate and the National Assembly in defense of the  rights of the Artsakh Armenians.

In this context, I would like to reaffirm Armenia's high appreciation  of the important role of France as the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair in  the process of the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh  conflict, as well as express the hope that joint mediation efforts  with other Co-chairs will help establish peace in the region, foster  the opening of communication routes and the development of economic  cooperation.

As for this important event, I would like to once again address a  word of appreciation to the French Government, in particular, to  President Macron, for initiating this conference and bringing  together all the actors of the Armenian-French cooperation under one  roof. I am glad to welcome the members of the French government, the  heads of French public institutions, representatives of French  regions, departments and cities, representatives of French-Armenian  organizations and civil society, thanking them for their valuable  contribution and commitment to the Armenian-French friendship.

Honorable Mr. President,

Dear friends,

In conclusion, I would like to express hope that, despite the losses  suffered by Armenia, as well as all the challenges that Europe has  faced today in the face of the events in Ukraine, we will overcome  all problems and continue to successfully strengthen the friendship  between our peoples, together heading to new achievements for the  sake of peace and the well-being of our peoples.

Long live Armenia!

Long live France!

Long live the inviolable friendship between our peoples".