The interlocutors stressed the importance of interparliamentary diplomacy in the high-level interstate relations. President Serzh Sargsyan welcomed active contacts and efficient activities of the France-Armenia interparliamentary friendship groups and stressed the importance of our two countries’ cooperation in the framework of international organizations.
On behalf of his country’s parliament, the President of the National Assembly of France Claude Bartolone expressed readiness to continue in the same spirit and to do his best to strengthen bilateral relations based on the common values. He underlined that France highly values active work carried out by Armenia during the tenure of President Serzh Sargsyan aimed at the greater rapprochement with Europe.
President Serzh Sargsyan and the President of the National Assembly of France Claude Bartolone stressed the importance of the Armenian-French community in the strengthening of the Armenian-French friendship which serves as a unique bridge between Armenia and France.
Serzh Sargsyan expressed gratitude to France and its friendly people for warm attitude and consideration towards our compatriots, and to the French parliament – for the constant support on the issues which are vital for the Armenian nation.
At the meeting, the parties discussed also regional issues and challenges, as well as the Nagorno Karabakh peace process.
President Serzh Sargsyan met with the Prime Minister of France Jean-Marc Ayrault.
The President of Armenia and Prime Minister of France exchanged views and agreed that the twenty-year old Armenian-French excellent political cooperation should become a standard for the economic relations as well. Noting with satisfaction that France is the second largest investment in the Armenian economy, the President of Armenia among the priority issues stressed the importance of the further deepening of trade and economic relations and the increase of the turnover. In this context, the sides discussed a broad range of issues of mutual interest.
The President of Armenia and Prime Minister of France spoke about the importance of the Armenian-French Business Club functioning in Armenia since last year and expansion of its activities, at the same time hailing works of the French Development Agency aimed at the support of Armenia’s advancement through the forthcoming programs in the areas of agriculture, development of private sector and management of water resources.
The parties discussed in detail subsequent involvement of the French companies in the current programs in the energy area and their participation in the construction of a new unit of the Armenian nuclear power station.
The Prime Minister of France expressed readiness to foster the entry of the French companies in the free trade zones being established in Armenia. The parties discussed also other issues of mutual interest such as participation of the French companies in the area of telecommunications, construction of infrastructure connecting the northern parts of our country with the south, and in the further development of the pension system in Armenia.
Serzh Sargsyan and Prime Minister of France Jean-Marc Ayrault spoke also about deepening of the Armenian-French cultural and educational relations, as well as possible assistance of France in the development of Armenia-EU relations.
