Friday, February 23 2024 15:50

ArmInfo. RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the delegation led by French Minister for  the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu, who arrived on an official visit to the Republic of Armenia.

As reported by the Prime Minister's press service, welcoming the  delegation led by the Minister of the Armed Forces, the Prime  Minister noted. "Dear Minister, I welcome you and your delegation to  the Republic of Armenia. This is the first visit of you and, in  general, the Minister of the Armed Forces of France to the Republic  of Armenia, and it is already historic by this fact.

I want to thank you for your support in forming our bilateral agenda  and implementing that agenda. I must emphasize that, of course, the  changes taking place in our security situation and cooperation are  logical and justified. Of course, by thanking you, I should also  consider it logical that France is one of the first countries to  respond to our decision to diversify our relations in the field of  security, because as we had the opportunity to discuss in Paris two  days ago, our relations are very deep and multi-layered, and it is  logical that these relations must be expressed also in the field of  defense and security. I also want to emphasize that the security  component has always been present in our discussions with President  Macron, and now I am glad that these discussions are getting a  concrete expression, including with your support."

In his turn, S‚bastien Lecornu noted. "Thank you for these words and  reception. You thrilled the French people with your presence at the  Pantheon. It can be said that this was a very unique week for our two  republics. As I told the media representatives with whom I just met,  there was indeed a certain gap: on the one hand, the warm friendly  relations that we had, and the defense sector, which was not yet  fully realized.

I think that your personal relationship with the French president  also plays a big role in this progress. I think it's based on trust,  and let me say, our mutual trust as well. I think that our teams have  mapped out a very specific path for us together with your Defense  Ministry. And taking into account the threats that hang over  Armenia's head, we are forced to move forward faster. That is, it is  very important for us to react quickly and arrange the steps.

A lot was already underway, but thanks to the bilateral relations and  the meeting you had with President Macron, it allowed us to move  forward this morning in the same directions you had indicated  together in Paris."

The interlocutors discussed the works carried out in the direction of  defense cooperation and upcoming plans.  The parties emphasized  Armenia-France cooperation within the framework of the reforms of the  Armenian Armed Forces, including military education, combat training  and other directions.

The sides exchanged thoughts on issues related to regional security  and stability.