Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received a delegation led by Jacques Marilosian, President of the France-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group of the French National Assembly.

The Prime Minister pointed out that parliamentary diplomacy has played an important role in the development of privileged Armenian-French relations and expressed the hope that the two parliamentary delegations will continue to expand their cooperation. Noting that our country has switched over to a parliamentary system of governance, Nikol Pashinyan stressed the need for building closer inter-parliamentary ties between the two countries.

The Premier hailed the French Parliament’s role in the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, adding that it might go a long way toward preventing the recurrence of genocides and the protection of human rights.

Jacques Marilosian noted with satisfaction that as early as on the very first day of his stay in Armenia, he felt the breath of positive changes, which have improved the business environment as evidenced by several representatives of French companies operating in Armenia.

The guests advised that many French companies are keen to implement investment programs in Armenia in a bid to access the Eurasian and Iranian markets through our country.

“I am convinced that changes will bring new French investments to Armenia. All foreign investors will enjoy equal conditions and face no problems whatsoever in our country. We realize the high mark of responsibility that we have undertaken before the people and, in this respect, we look forward to being backed by those foreign partners interested in Armenia’s democratic and economic development,” Nikol Pashinyan said, convinced that France is among Armenia’s partners.

Touching upon the Francophonie Summit due this fall in Yerevan, the Premier expressed confidence that it would be held at the highest level. The interlocutors next focused on a number of issues related to the expansion of Armenian-French relations in the fields of economy, education, culture and other spheres.

The French parliamentarians asked Prime Minister Pashinyan to brief them on his government’s priorities, including the steps to combat corruption, simplify and facilitate tax and customs administration, develop information technologies, agriculture and tourism.

Coming to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the head of the Armenian government said it should be settled exclusively through peaceful means and stressed the need for shaping an appropriate atmosphere.