Armenian President meets Lyon Mayor

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met with the Mayor of Lyon, Senator Gerard Collomb on November 13, as part of his official visit to France.

The two men highly assessed the cooperation between Yerevan and Lyon, hailing Armenian-French partnership.

President Sargsyan expressed gratitude to Gerard Collomb for his continued interest in Armenian-related issues, as well as for the multifaceted assistance, particularly, Senator Collomb’s indispensable contribution to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and his input in the development of the relations with Yerevan. President Sargsyan expressed confidence that the Armenian-French friendship will continue to strengthen.

Upon completion of the meeting, Lyon Mayor, Senator Gerard Collomb hosted an official dinner in honor of President Sargsyan.

President Sargsyan further met with the representatives of the French business community. He spoke of recent initiatives and developments which were of interest for the entrepreneurs of France and Lyon in particular, implemented reforms, Armenian-French economic ties, historical trade relations and prospects of deepening these relations.

“The Armenian-French Business Club has been functioning in Armenia since last year, and yesterday the President of France Francois Hollande suggested transforming it into the Trade and Industry Chamber. We accept that proposal with great pleasure. The Club provides professional and information support, organizes regular thematic roundtables and serves to strengthen the French business community in Armenia and ensure a greater involvement of the French companies in the Armenian market. At the same time, I highly value the forthcoming programs of the French Development Agency aimed at the enhancement of Armenia’s advancement. We pin great hopes on the activities of that Agency since we are aware of its capabilities, since we are aware of the desire of the French leadership and since we are ready to do our best to make the Agency’s activities in Armenia a success,” President Sargsyan said.

The President of Armenia wished success to the entrepreneurs who participated in the meeting in their future activities and joint programs for the benefit of the Armenian-French relations and strengthening of the friendship between the two nations.

Later, at the City Hall of Lyon, Mayor Gerard Collomb hosted a reception in honor of the President of Armenia which was attended also by the representatives of the Armenian-French community. At the reception, President Serzh Sargsyan was bestowed the Medal of Honor of Lyon, presidential press service reported.