Pashinyan hails OSCE Minsk Group's active mediation efforts after Nagorno-Karabakh war  

Armenia and France have special relations, Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said today as he met with French President Emmanuel Macron as part of his working visit to the country.

“It’s very important to record that over the period, the Armenian people and Armenia have permanently felt the support of France and the personal support of President Macron. I want to state that from the very first days of the crisis in our region President Macron has talked in the language of truth, and that voice has been heard all over the world. This is very important for us. I want to note that France and President Macron continue this commitment, and this is very important for overcoming the crisis situations in our region”, ARMENPRESS quoted him as saying at a meeting with the French leader.

The Armenian leader also highlighted France’s role in the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship format. He praised the mission’s efforts in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the regional crises, for the establishment of lasting peace and stability. “I am very glad that after the end of the war the Co-Chairs have made three statements, with which, they, in fact, record their readiness to engage mutually and restore the negotiations for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict”, the acting premier added.

Pashinyan also thanked France for the humanitarian support provided over the period. “We emphasize the importance of France’s economic engagement. There are numerous programs in Armenia – infrastructure, energy, economic, in which the engagement of France is very important for us. The French government and President Macron personally are also interested in the engagement to these programs”, Pashinyan said.

He also highlighted France’s role in the preservation of the cultural heritage in the region, (including Nagorno-Karabakh). “We highly appreciate France’s engagement in all these directions, and Armenia, the Armenian people are interested in increasing this engagement, especially when France as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair country has a responsibility and engagement to ensuring security, peace and lasting stability in our region. And I am happy that this interest is being maintained”, he said.