Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received a French delegation led by Fabrice Pannekoucke, president of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Regional Council of France. Gilbert-Luc Devinaz, Chairman of the France-Armenia Friendship Group of the French Senate, also was in the delegation.

The parties discussed Armenia-France multi-sectoral cooperation agenda matters, and focused, in particular, on the need to deepen decentralized partnership between the two countries.

Pashinyan highlighted the role and significance of the fifth two-day Armenia-France Decentralized Cooperation Forum being held in Goris city of Armenia’s Syunik Province, and described it as a viable platform for exchanging experiences and implementing joint programs at the community level.

Reflecting on Monday’s official opening of the Office of the Honorary Consul of France in Goris, the French delegation emphasized that this office is aimed not only at strengthening the French diplomatic presence, but also at expanding educational, cultural, and humanitarian programs in Syunik Province.

Senator Gilbert-Luc Devinaz, for his part, reaffirmed the readiness to strengthen parliamentary cooperation with Armenia, and stressed that the legislative bodies of France will continue to support the democratic development processes of Armenia.

The interlocutors touched also upon the opportunities for the deepening of Armenian-French cooperation in education, culture, the environment, local self-government, and economic development.

PM Pashinyan highlighted the stable support and solidarity shown towards Armenia by the French government, the leadership of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, and the friendship group, and emphasized that Armenia-France relations are based on shared values, historical friendship, and mutual trust.