ArmInfo.France will provide Armenia with long-term assistance in overcoming the consequences of the current situation in the country. Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Secretary of State to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, who accompanied the second plane of the French humanitarian aid to Armenia, stated this on November 28 during a briefing in Yerevan.
He informed that French President Emmanuel Macron instructed in a short time to organize humanitarian aid to people affected by the hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, and who have been in shock for several weeks and faced a number of problems. "The President also wished the assistance to be long-term. Armenia and France are linked by exceptional relations with strong historical roots," Lemoyne said, adding that in recent weeks Macron had repeatedly held telephone talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, moreover, maintained contacts with the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia, as well as other members of the OSCE Minsk Group.
The French diplomat added that many issues were discussed, including those related to ensuring the preservation of cultural, historical and religious heritage. The Secretary of State said that there is interaction with UNESCO and other organizations to ensure their protection.
He informed that within the framework of the visit he had already held negotiations with the heads of the RA Foreign Ministry and Government, at which the agreement of November 9 was also discussed.
"We brought with us 25 tons of humanitarian aid, which was mobilized by the state, associations of solidarity with Armenia, humanitarian organizations united under the <Coordination Sud> and the Aznavour Foundation. Famous football player Youri Djorkaeff headed this humanitarian aid," Lemoyne said.
At the same time, he noted that this general mobilization in rendering assistance to Armenia reminded him of December 1988, when the famous chansonnier Charles Aznavour rallied everyone to provide assistance to Armenia to the Pour toi Armenie song (For You Armenia"), which was seriously affected by the earthquake.
"What is happening today is reminiscent of this earthquake. But, at the same time, it also suggests that trees bloom after the disaster," Lemoyne summed up.
In turn, the Ambassador of France to Armenia Jonathan Lacote noted that this is fourth visit of Mr. Lemoyne to Armenia. "It is a great honor for us to feel that you are near and we can carry out our work under the leadership of the president. Lemoyne was last in Yerevan in 2018 - it was a happy year for Armenia. And now he is here when Armenia is having hard times,> the diplomat said.