On July 19, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian received the Mayor of Lyon Gerard Collomb.

Welcoming the guest, Edward Nalbandian mentioned that Armenia has always had a peculiar feeling towards both France and the French people, which is due to the strong friendly ties historically established between the two countries and close interstate cooperation existing today.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed the importance of the development of the comprehensive Armenian-French cooperation, particularly underlining the considerable achievements in the spheres of political, economic, cultural, educational and decentralized interaction.

The sides touched upon the second conference on the Armenian-French decentralized cooperation held in Yerevan in 2010, noting that the regularity of such events gives a new impetus to bilateral relations.

The interlocutors also stressed the importance of the significant contribution of the Armenian community in France to the development of interstate relations. In this regard, Gerard Collomb underscored the investments of the French Armenians in the development of France and the city which is governed by him.

Expressing satisfaction with the intensive cooperation between Yerevan and Lyon, Edward Nalbandian and Gerard Collomb touched upon the preparatory works of the general assembly of Francophone cities to be held in Yerevan in autumn of this year.