PARIS (RFE/RL) — French President Emmanuel Macron met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Paris on Friday, September 14, for talks focused on an upcoming summit of Francophonie nations to be held in Yerevan next month.
According to the Armenian prime minister’s spokesman, Macron and Pashinyan also discussed issues pertaining to the business forum to be organized within the framework of the Francophonie summit in the Armenian capital.
Greeting Pashinyan, Macron reportedly highlighted the importance of the Armenian leader’s visit to France, expressing conviction that “it will promote and give a new impetus to the further development of friendly relations between the two countries.”
The French president underlined that his country is ready to continue the efforts aimed at “expanding close cooperation with friendly Armenia in different spheres.”
The French leader reportedly expressed confidence that the upcoming Francophonie summit in Yerevan will be held at a high level. The Armenian prime minister, for his part, said: “I am convinced that our meeting will give a new quality to our privileged relations based on centuries-old historical friendship.” He stressed the importance of Armenia’s hosting the 2018 Francophonie Summit, describing it as one of the most important events in Yerevan since the South Caucasus country gained independence in 1991. Pashinyan reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensure a successful holding of the summit and expressed confidence that “it will contribute to the further rise of the reputation and influence of the Francophonie.”
The French president is due to visit Yerevan for the events on October 11-12.
