ArmInfo. Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Anna Zhamakochyan and Deputy Director General of the French Office for Immigration and Integration Fabrice Blanchard signed a memorandum of understanding on the implementation of reintegration assistance programs in Armenia.
According to the ministry, emphasizing the importance of the work of the French organization, which has been operating in Armenia for almost ten years, in the process of reintegration of citizens, the deputy minister noted that the signing of the memorandum is another step towards strengthening partnership relations between the two friendly countries. The document envisages providing beneficiaries with accessible services and the opportunity for economic self-affirmation.
Within the framework of the memorandum, the French Immigration and Integration Directorate will support those citizens of the Republic of Armenia who voluntarily returned from France and wish to settle in Armenia permanently, offering them a reintegration support program depending on their social, personal and family status. The support includes social and economic professional reintegration through vocational training, access to employment or the creation of micro-enterprises. Reintegration assistance can also be provided to citizens of the Republic of Armenia returning from another country of the European Union. When providing assistance, the Immigration and Integration Directorate will check and confirm the compliance of applicants with the French reintegration support program in Armenia, after which the families will be offered appropriate assistance within the framework of several components: training courses, acquisition of relevant business management skills, financial allocations.
The beneficiaries will also participate in state social support and employment programs implemented by the RA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, developing their entrepreneurial skills, creating their own business and becoming competitive in the labor market. The parties agreed to organize regular meetings to assess the results of the actions taken, areas for expanding cooperation and finding new opportunities for cooperation, through which it will be possible to optimize the impact on reintegration support.
Sectoral priorities and planned joint work in these areas were also discussed within the framework of the festive event dedicated to the 10th anniversary of immigration and reintegration activities of France. The event was also attended by Deputy Minister Anna Zhamakochyan and First Deputy Head of the Unified Social Service Ani Chilingaryan, who visited the stands where business projects were presented and talked to the beneficiaries who have already received support within the framework of the project.