Pashinyan and Macron Discuss Bilateral Ties and Regional Challenges in Meeting

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and French President Emmanuel Macron convened at the Elysee Palace for a crucial meeting, during which they exchanged condolences, discussed bilateral cooperation, and addressed significant regional challenges.

President Macron began the meeting by expressing his condolences to Prime Minister Pashinyan for the loss of Christian Ter-Stepanyan, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to UNESCO and Personal Representative of the Prime Minister to the International Organization of La Francophonie. Macron reiterated France's unwavering support for Armenia's development and efforts to overcome existing challenges.

In response, Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized the vital importance of strengthening Armenian-French cooperation across various sectors. The leaders delved into discussions about the ongoing normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, emphasizing the significance of the principles outlined in the Granada statement. These principles, jointly endorsed by the Prime Minister of Armenia, the President of France, the Chancellor of Germany, and the President of the European Council, play a crucial role in fostering regional stability and peace.

A significant portion of the conversation centered around the humanitarian concerns stemming from the displacement of more than 100,000 individuals from Nagorno-Karabakh due to Azerbaijan's ethnic cleansing policy. Prime Minister Pashinyan highlighted the steps taken by the Armenian government to address these challenges and underscored the need for international community support in finding solutions.

Additionally, the leaders discussed the deepening of Armenian-French cooperation in areas such as economy, infrastructure development, and various other fields. Both parties expressed their unwavering commitment to continuing their collaborative efforts in these areas, aiming for mutual growth and prosperity.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for an exchange of ideas on regional peace and stability, with a focus on Armenia-European Union cooperation. The leaders reaffirmed their dedication to working together to enhance peace and stability in the region, underlining the importance of international partnerships in achieving these shared goals.

The discussions at the Elysee Palace shows the strong ties between Armenia and France, emphasizing their shared commitment to addressing regional challenges, fostering bilateral cooperation, and promoting peace and stability in the broader context of international relations.