YEREVAN. – Prime Minister of Armenia Hovik Abrahamyan, who is on a working visit to France, on Friday met with his French counterpart, Manuel Valls.

“Armenian-French relations are at the highest level today,” Abrahamyan specifically noted.

He also underscored the development of economic relations, and he stated that Armenian-French economic collaboration is becoming more inclusive.

“Nonetheless, we have much to do in encouraging bilateral trade,” noted Abrahamyan.

Valls, for his part, highly praised France-Armenia collaboration. He likewise highlighted the need for the development of bilateral economic relations, and noted that these ties have not yet reached the level of political relations between the two countries. The French PM drew attention to the need to enhance cooperation in several domains.

The two premiers highly appreciated the role of the Armenian community in France in the development of France-Armenia state relations. They also underscored the need for an effective partnership in education.

PM Abrahamyan also reflected on the Armenian Genocide issue and specifically said: “We express our gratitude to the French authorities for [their] great contribution to the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide.”

At the ensuing talk, the interlocutors discussed the avenues for making Armenia-European Union (EU) cooperation grow deeper, and explored the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and several other regional matters. The Armenian and French premiers highlighted the need for the settlement of the Karabakh conflict through peace talks and within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. They also conferred on the process toward EU visa liberalization for the citizens of Armenia.

At the end of the meeting, Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan invited his French colleague to Armenia on an official visit.