On November 7, Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandyan participated in the 29^th Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie attended by 77 members of the Organization, as well as high-ranking delegations of associated and observer countries, reports the RA MFA press office to “Hayern Aysor”.

The agenda of the ministerial conference included the process of implementation of the decisions adopted during the Kinshasa Summit held in October 2012 and the preparations for the summit to be held in Dakar next year.

In his speech at the event, Armenia’s foreign minister attached importance to the cooperation within the framework of La Francophonie and the growing role of the Organization in the international arena.

Talking about Armenia’s involvement in the international organization, Edward Nalbandyan said: “Armenia has been a full-fledged member of the International Organization of La Francophonie for a year now. We’re pleased to form a part of the Francophone community, which serves as an important international platform for cooperation that is aimed at strengthening solidarity between peoples and countries through multi-cultural dialogue and provides the opportunity for more joint actions in the international arena.

Armenia is involved in several directions, including parliament, university, decentralization, education, culture, sports and several other directions. It is in this context that Yerevan hosted the conference of the International Association of Francophone Mayors, the annual meeting of the International Network of Sengor Chairs of Francophone Universities held a week ago, and Armenia has been holding most of the events on the sidelines of the Francophonie Month for several years.”

Touching upon the efforts of the International Organization of La Francophonie aimed at ensuring stability in different parts of the world, Minister Nalbandyan attached importance to the fact that the member countries of the Organization expressed their full support to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairing countries during the Organization’s Summit held in Kinshasa last year, calling on the sides to continue negotiations on the proposals of the Minsk Group  based on no application of force or threat of force, equality of rights and right of nations to self-determination and territorial integrity and urging them to refrain from the application of force and the threat of force, which may endanger the peace process.

In closing, Minister Nalbandyan assured that Armenia and the member countries of La Francophonie will continue to make efforts to increase the role of the Organization and advance its goals in the international arena.