RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan received the participants of the 3^rd Conference for French-Armenian Decentralized Cooperation held in Yerevan on 1-2 December 2016. Among the participants were Deputy Mayor of the French city of Vien for Education Levon Sakunts; international relations correspondent Elena Eichen; Deputy Mayor of Roman (sister city with Armenia’s Vardenis) for Education and Youth Affairs Arneaud Edwige; internal development affairs correspondent Frederic Dehe; Vice-President of the Isler Department for Cultural Heritage Patrick Kurteau and international cooperation correspondent Matild Lestra.

Cordially greeting the guests, the Minister of Diaspora praised the programs and events aimed at strengthening the French-Armenian friendship and enhancing the various kinds of relations between France and Armenia, attaching special importance to the conferences on the French-Armenian decentralized cooperation for Armenia’s proportionate development and the programs carried out within the scope of those conferences.

“I am glad to welcome you to the Ministry of Diaspora. It is clear that French-Armenian relations are special, and the Armenian community of France plays an exceptional role in the development of those relations. For a century, the Armenians of France have been helping enhance the spheres of economy, science, culture, education and healthcare in your country. I believe the Armenians are the best citizens of France. They take pride in being French and Armenian, and the great singer Charles Aznavour gave the best formula for this when he said the following: “I am 100 percent French and 100 percent Armenian.” Working with the active and organized Armenian community of France, I feel that the French-Armenians have a heartfelt attitude towards Armenia, make efforts and undertake initiatives to present Armenia in France properly and present France in Armenia wonderfully, and I feel proud. I must express my gratitude to the French government and people for recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide, recognizing Artsakh’s independence and assisting in Armenia’s development. I am glad that the Armenians are also active in local governance, and a brilliant example of that is the presence of the Deputy Mayor of Vien Levon Sakunts.” The Minister talked about the activities that are being carried out for the Armenia-Diaspora partnership, the key issues and challenges, as well as the contacts and cooperation with the Armenian community of France.

Welcoming the expansion of the program for the establishment of sister ties between the cities of France and Armenia, the Minister of Diaspora indicated the sectors (high technologies, tourism, agriculture, the mining industry, culture) that can be enhanced through the platform for decentralized French-Armenian cooperation.

Expressing gratitude for the cordial reception on behalf of the delegation, Patrick Kurteau stated that the Armenians in Vien, Grenoble, Roman and Isler Department and other parts of France are hard-working, creative and have made great contributions to the development of the region. The community is consolidated. The local authorities help them preserve the national identity. It is not by chance that one of the squares in Vien is named after French-Armenian poet, participant of the French Resistance Movement during WWII Missak Manouchian, who sacrificed his life for France. The square is in memory of several Armenians who died for France.

Patrick Kurteau touched upon the events carried out within the scope of cooperation between French and Armenian cities and stated that the decentralized French-Armenian cooperation includes nearly 30 programs that will be carried out in the cities and districts of French and Armenian cities and will be unique in terms of quantity, volume and political significance.

Back in 2010, with the view of coordinating the decentralized French-Armenian cooperation, a France Group was formed within the scope of the association of communities in Armenia, and an Armenia Group was formed within the scope of the association of cities of France. The groups include cooperating cities and districts and are called for consolidating the decentralized cooperation in the period in-between conferences. The head of the Armenia Group is well-known French-Armenian public and political figure Patrick Devedjian, and the head of the France Group is Mayor of Etchmiadzin Karen Grigoryan. Once again, the sides are signing new agreements on cooperation for the placement of solar batteries in provinces, the creation of polyclinics, the dissemination and development of the French language and other programs. Patrick Kurteau attached importance to the role of the Armenian community of France in the implementation of the specified programs.

The sides also discussed issues on future cooperation.