France, Armenia sign deal on easing tourism, research cooperation

PanARMENIAN.Net - France and Armenia have signed deals on tourism investment and university cooperation during Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan's official visit to Paris on March 8-9.

At a state dinner on Wednesday, March 8, the presidents of both countries hailed relations between Armenia and France, pledging to boost cooperation in a number of areas.

The parties dwelled upon the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, with president Francois Hollande calling for a change in the status quo.

He said “we want to work and find solutions” to avoid a repeat of recent violence.

France, Russia and the United States have been trying to mediate the conflict for years. Hollande’s administration hopes his effort will continue after he leaves office in May.

Prior to the dinner, French and Armenian officials signed three agreements Wednesday: on easing tourism between their countries, research cooperation and creating a French university in Armenia.

The situation on the contact line between Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) and Azerbaijan was relatively calm on March 8 and the night through March 9, Karabakh defense army said.