YEREVAN. – During his current visit to France, Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan met with French National Assembly speaker Richard Ferrand, the Prime Minister's Office informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

"Armenia is a friendly country for France, and we attach great importance to the continuous development and expansion of bilateral relations. During the past difficult period for Armenia, we were in constant contact with our Armenian colleagues, our MPs stood with Armenia. With our steps, we will continue to contribute to overcoming the challenges facing the Armenian people," Ferrand said.

Pashinyan, in turn, noted that Armenia has felt the support of friendly France, including the members of the French Senate and the National Assembly, at all difficult times. He also stressed the importance of expanding French business and investments in Armenia.

Nikol Pashinyan referred also to the situation in Armenia after the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war last fall, and noted that the main issue is the security situation around the country. The Acting Prime Minister presented the circumstances of the incidents on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and stressed the friendly attitude of France in this case, too. He noted that Armenia, in cooperation with international partners, is trying to resolve the border situation through diplomacy.

Touching upon the avenues for the settlement of the Artsakh conflict, Nikol Pashinyan highlighted the active role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in that process. The Acting Prime Minister also stressed the need for the French Senate to recognize the independence of Artsakh, as well as the importance of the resolutions adopted to ensure the return of Armenian POWs.

Richard Ferrand, for his part, added that they are closely monitoring the developments in the South Caucasus. "France stands with Armenia, please convey our message to the Armenian people. We will do everything to establish stability and prosperity in Armenia. You have always relied on us, and you can rely on us now and in the future, too" he added.

The French side once again stressed the importance of protecting the territorial integrity of Armenia, ensuring the speedy return of Armenian POWs held in Azerbaijan, preserving the Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh, and the engagement of UNESCO in this matter. "We hope that after the upcoming [snap parliamentary] elections [on June 20], Armenia will restore its unity and move towards the future," Ferrand said.

At the same time, it was informed that a new resolution on the return of Armenian POWs is being worked out in the French National Assembly, as well as a visit of the Armenia-France parliamentary friendship group to Armenia is being prepared.

The interlocutors discussed the situation in the South Caucasus, the upcoming elections in Armenia, the implementation of democratic reforms in the country, and a number of other issues of mutual interest.