Armenia-France decentralized cooperation should be viewed in the context of Armenian-French multi-sectoral, multi-layered relations. Armenian ambassador to France Arman Khachatryan, stated this in his remarks at the 5th Armenia-France Decentralized Cooperation Forum Monday in Goris city of Armenia’s Syunik Province.

“Armenian-French relations have a long historical trajectory based on shared values, strong historical ties. Today, Armenia and France, as states, have stable privileged special relations, which are also involved in domains of strategic importance—such as defense, economy, infrastructure—and relations are experiencing dynamic development almost every day.

A week ago, the French foreign minister was in Armenia, and a rather interesting and productive visit took place, several documents were signed, and decentralized cooperation was also discussed. In Armenia-France relations, intergovernmental, interparliamentary, public, cultural, etc., decentralized cooperation also plays a very important role, which has begun since the independence of our Republic [in 1991], since its birth. This cooperation is developing day by day. Decentralized cooperation—although Armenia and France are unitary states in terms of structure—is also becoming possible simultaneously with the democratization of international relations, when, alongside such traditional interstate relations, relations between communities are also being formed, in addition to intergovernmental relations. This is a new domain where it becomes possible to contribute to the sustainable development of the territories of countries, bring international solidarity, and contribute to global developments,” said the Armenian ambassador to France.

Arman Khachatryan emphasized that for Armenia, decentralized cooperation with France is of a strategic nature, and he brought five arguments why this is so.

“First of all, this cooperation contributes to our security. You see, the provinces of Armenia engaged in the cooperation—Syunik, Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik, Tavush—are border [provinces] and have considerable vulnerability. Today we are in Syunik Province, and the organizing of this event here is symbolic, the support of the French side to the resilience of Syunik and the overall security issues of Armenia.

Secondly, in political terms, after the 44-day war [in the fall of 2020], during the [forcible] displacement of the [Armenian] population from Artsakh—Nagorno-Karabakh—to Armenia in 2023, almost all communities in France, both regional and other structures, adopted resolutions, supported with humanitarian assistance, and, also, provided considerable political support throughout this period, when Armenia was experiencing those difficult years.

In economic terms, one of the most important directions of decentralized cooperation is also the strengthening of the economic capabilities of communities. And there are many programs.

The other is the engagement of the [Armenian] diaspora also within the framework of decentralized cooperation. It has already been mentioned that the Armenian diaspora in France plays a rather important role in the integrated French society, and there are also Armenian figures engaged in local governments, some of whom are here and participating in the event. And this decentralized cooperation in structural mechanisms ensures also the engagement of the [Armenian] diaspora’s potential in the development of the local governments of Armenia.

And finally, in conclusion, I would also like to note that this cooperation also supports Armenia’s democracy, local democracy. You know that today, being a democratic country is also a very important part of our identity, and democracy starts also from the places. And it is thanks to this cooperation that we bring the French experience to help our communities solve their problems and develop local democracy,” stressed the ambassador of Armenia to France.