France’s Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné has visited Armenia in a show of ‘French friendship and support’, with both sides pledging to deepen ties and cooperation.
Séjourné arrived in Yerevan on Monday, where he met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.
Prior to his visit, he published a video announcing his intent to visit Armenia, Greece, and Moldova. He said that Armenia and Moldova were facing ‘unacceptable attempts’ of destabilisation and pressure as countries that have chosen a pro-EU path.
‘We have strong cooperation with Armenia, and we are further strengthening it’, he said, adding that France supports the development of Armenia’s strategic infrastructure to ‘ensure the country’s resilience’.
Following his meeting with Pashinyan, Séjourné stated that they had discussed deepening their economic and security cooperation, and stated that France was ready to support the development of Armenian–EU ties.
In a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart, Mirzoyan, Séjourné said that the bilateral partnership has deepened in ‘all sectors’.
He announced that France had created a role within its Foreign Ministry responsible for cooperation programmes with Armenia, and that the person holding that position would start work in Armenia soon.
Séjourné also said that France would send an ‘international technical expert’ to offer assistance to Armenia’s Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Ministry.
Séjourné noted that France will continue its defence and other sector cooperation, noting that Armenia ‘should be able to defend its integrity, its territory, its population.’
The French Minister also said that Azerbaijan was obliged to show that ‘it sincerely wants to achieve peace’ ahead of COP29.
He also praised Armenia’s path towards democracy, despite ‘the obvious hostility and pressure attempts by Russia.’ He added that Armenia can ‘always count on us for democratic values.’
On Friday, prior to Séjourné’s visit, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Alexey Overchuk, visited. He met with Pashinyan to discuss relations and cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union.
During his visit, Overchuk reiterated Russia’s readiness to help Armenia and Azerbaijan unblock regional communications, adding that it is possible within the framework of the agreements of 9 November 2020.
