Mayor Jean-Claude Gaudin of Marseille has turned down the Élysée Palace’s offer to accompany French President François Hollande during his visit to Armenia on May 12 and 13, Nouvelles d’Arménie reported.

“I am touched and deeply honored by the invitation to accompany the President of the Republic [of France] during his official visit to Armenia. Unfortunately, my schedule does not permit me to be free on those days,” Gaudin said in the respective statement he released.