“Tumo Center will be opened in Paris, in September, this year”, announced the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, at Paris Municipality. As already informed, the President of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan had a meeting with the Mayor of Paris, afterwards the Mayor of Paris and the President of Armenia made speeches at Paris Municipality. Around 300 representatives from Armenian community took part in the meeting. Paris socialist Mayor assured in her speech that the issue of creating a “home of Armenia” is on agenda.
Addressing to Armenian-Turkish relations, Ann Hidalgo emphasized, Armenia has a high weight in creating future peace. Paris Mayor also was impressed by the fact that after Genocide, Armenia declared independence. The Mayor of Paris called this a miracle. Referring to the denial of the Genocide, Anne Hidalgo stated that in her opinion it is a crime.
The President of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan addressed to the reforms taking place in Armenia during his speech. The President assured – Armenia overcomes all difficulties, strengthening the democratic institutions, promoting to the development of free market economy, growth in IT field, bringing to life innovative ideas through complex reforms. Afterwards he told that Armenia’s international inclusion as a stable and reliable partner grows, the existing ties with usual partners are strengthened year by year: “From this perspective, of course, the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement signed with the European Union in November, 2017, was remarkable, the full realization of which is a commitment of a paramount importance to us.”
As stated by Serzh Sargsyan, 2018 is going to be an important year. The President of the Republic of Armenia reminded – 100th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia, 2800th anniversary of Yerevan’s foundation, 17th Summit of “La Francophonie” International Organization.
Applying to the representatives of the Armenian community, Serzh Sargsyan announced: “French-Armenians have their unique place in this city’s, this country’s well-being by its diligence, intellectual potential and dignified behavior.”
Serzh Sargsyan remembered also Hugo. He announced: “As the prominent son, poet and playwright of the French people, Hugo said, “Paris opens its doors and peoples come there attracted by this huge magnet.” That magnet is the French people, the friendly and humane spirit of whose manifested itself once again, when it gave our fellow Armenians, who had overcome the Genocide, an opportunity to stay in this wonderful country.”
Notwithstanding that the representatives of the Armenian community of France did not have an opportunity to give questions to Serzh Sargsyan, they assured during the interviews with Aravot.am that they are encouraged by suchlike meetings.
One of the representatives of Armenian community, “Separatour” company founder Levon Baghdasaryan informed us: “It is encouraging when the leaders of our fatherland come to France and such welcome is organized. And the questions should be solved not here, but in separate meetings.” Addressing to the issue that Armenian-French economic relations stay behind the political one, our interlocutor responded that for the solution of this issue Armenia should be able to represent itself correctly, for investments to be made.
A representative of Armenian community, editor Alice Mavyan expressed her concerns that around 400 Armenian organizations operate in France, however, they do not cooperate with each other.
Historian Ghemond Gevorgyan is concerned with the fact that Armenia’s house does not become a reality for years in a row: “It is 10 years the Municipality has promised that Armenia’s house should be created, but it is not yet precise whether it should be a house of culture or another format. We are hopeful that one day it will become a reality. And why Armenian-French economic relations do not develop, we should take into consideration that these two countries are not on the same level. We are a country which takes its first steps in aspiring to develop political, democratic, economic rules.”
Tatev Harutyunyan
