Armenia, France sign memorandum of understanding on assistance and  reintegration programmes in Armenia 

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.