The Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian participated in the Ministerial meeting of the International Organization of the Francophonie (IOF) on 1-2 December in Paris.

Delegations of 70 member, observer and associated countries of the Organization were participating in the IOF’s Ministerial meeting.

The implementation of the decisions made during the Montreux Summit held in October, 2010 was on the agenda of the Ministerial meeting.

The Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered a speech in the Ministerial meeting stressing the importance of the cooperation in the frames of the Francophonie and the role of the Organization in fostering solidarity among the peoples and countries of the Organization through multi-cultural dialogue.

In his speech the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs presented the steps being undertaken by Armenia towards the achievement of the Organization’s purposes, as well as the results of the General Assembly of the International Association of Francophonie Mayors held in Yerevan.

In the course of the meeting with Micheline Calmy-Rey, the President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, mutual satisfaction was expressed about the considerable progress achieved in bilateral relations during this year which was marked by reciprocal visits of the Heads of the two countries. Edward Nalbandian and Micheline Calmy-Rey mentioned that frequent visits give a possibility permanently to follow the implementation of the agreements reached during the previous meetings and to outline new steps.

The Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs had a meeting with Abdou Diouf, the IOF’s Secretary General, as well.

The sides discussed a wide range of issues related to the International Organization of the Francophonie’s agenda.

Abdou Diouf underlined that the relations with Armenia have significantly developed since 2008, when Armenia became an associated member of the Organization.