Sargsyan Strives to Provide International Visibility to the Country Using His Extensive Connections - Le Courrier de Russie

The French newspaper Le Courrier de Russie has published a special article titled "Armen Sargsyan: The Armenian-French Connection," which addresses the Armenian-French relations and the role of Armenian President Armen Sargsyan in their development.

According to Armenpress, the publication notes that Armen Sargsyan, who was previously a physicist, diplomat, and businessman, has been serving as the President of Armenia since 2018. "Despite the reduction of presidential powers through constitutional reforms in 2015, Sargsyan is working to provide international visibility to the country using his extensive connections and personal ties in political, economic, and financial circles," states Le Courrier de Russie, emphasizing that since taking office, the President has also been making efforts to strengthen Armenian-French ties.

The publication reports that, thanks to his personal connections and influence, Armen Sargsyan organized the "Armenian Summit of Ideas" in Dilijan from June 7-9 this year, where more than two hundred influential figures from various countries discussed regional and global issues. Among the distinguished guests was former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, with whom President Armen Sargsyan officially met twice—in Paris in February 2019 and in Yerevan in June.

It is no coincidence that the well-known French figure became a member of the board of the "Republic of Armenia’s State Interests Fund" in July, a body designed to attract foreign investors to the country. "There’s no doubt in Yerevan that this appointment was personally facilitated by the President of Armenia," emphasizes the publication.

Referring to promising sectors for Armenia, such as telecommunications and artificial intelligence, Le Courrier de Russie notes that these targeted sectors are untapped opportunities for French companies. It is no coincidence that the President of Armenia has repeatedly met with the leadership of the French company Thales, a global leader in defense, aerospace, and telecommunications, to discuss the establishment of a branch of the company in Armenia.

It is also highlighted that the President has strong ties and regularly meets with the leadership of the aviation giant Dassault. "In Bourget, France, Sargsyan spoke about creating a joint venture with two other giants of the French industry—Airbus and Safran. He has also discussed increasing the number of flights between Yerevan and Paris with representatives of the Paris airports. According to informed sources, the management of Beauvais Airport is open to increasing budget flights to the capital of Armenia," writes the French publication.

Le Courrier de Russie also notes that the President constantly emphasizes Armenia’s role as a bridge between the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union. "At this point, it is difficult to say how Moscow views its partner's new international ambitions. Of course, according to the Constitution of Armenia, any economic integration of Armenia with any supranational territory is the prerogative of the Prime Minister. Nevertheless, the confidential meeting between Putin and Sargsyan in Minsk during the closing ceremony of the European Games on July 1 did not go unnoticed, as the Russian President is not used to talking with leaders who have no real decision-making power, especially abroad," concludes the article from the French publication.