The Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, on Monday received France’s new Ambassador to Armenia, Jean-François Charpentier.

Congratulating the ambassador on his appointment, the Catholicos wished him success in his mission of further strengthening the Armenian-French friendship.

In his remarks, Karekin II reflected on the warm brotherly relations between the two nations and the close cooperation between the two countries.

In the ensuing talk, the interlocutors spoke about the productiveness of Armenian-French scientific, economic, and cultural cooperation. In this connection, the newly appointed ambassador assured the Catholicos that he will pursue a strengthening of cooperation. He also reflected on the Armenian Church’s enormous role in the lives of the Armenian nation, and congratulated Karekin II on his fifteenth anniversary as the Catholicos of All Armenians.

In addition, Karekin II and François Charpentier spoke about the French Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church and church life, the Armenian Church’s relations with other churches, the planned events on the centenary of the Armenian Genocide, and the decision that was reached during the recent Bishops’ Synod of the Armenian Apostolic Church, according to which the genocide martyrs will be canonized.