Lacote Concludes His Diplomatic Mission. Pashinyan Holds Farewell Meeting with the Ambassador

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the Ambassador of France to Armenia, Jonathan Lacote, who is concluding his diplomatic mission in Armenia. According to the Armenian government, Pashinyan described Lacote's tenure as having taken place during a complex and eventful period for Armenia and the region.

“This period has not only not negatively affected the privileged relations between Armenia and France, but the mutual cooperation has become even closer,” said Nikol Pashinyan. The Prime Minister added that there are ample opportunities to develop cooperation in various sectors between the two friendly countries.

According to Pashinyan, the governments of Armenia and France are interested in developing and expanding cooperation, which is based on the centuries-old friendship between the Armenian and French peoples. At the same time, the head of government emphasized France's important role as a co-chairing state of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Referring to Armenia's presidency in the Organization of La Francophonie, Nikol Pashinyan noted that the difficulties arising from the pandemic and the war have prevented the country from actively operating within the organization in the past year. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence that the cooperation within the organization will become more effective and closer in the near future.

“All these difficulties have not overshadowed our relations with France, and in this, it is necessary to highlight your personal contribution. We will perceive you as a friend of Armenia, and we will be glad to see you in our country again in the future,” said the Prime Minister, wishing Jonathan Lacote success.

Ambassador Lacote thanked Pashinyan for the high assessments and noted that his period of service was marked by both difficult and happy moments for Armenia. “I have touching memories of the peaceful revolution that took place in Armenia. The recent events in the country have shown that democracy in Armenia is now irreversible, and the Armenian people can be proud of it,” the ambassador said, emphasizing that France will continue to closely cooperate with Armenia in various fields, including in promoting reforms.

The meeting addressed the progress and future work on joint projects in areas such as investment, education, health, and others.