On March 13 Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian who paid a working visit to Paris met Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs of France.

Ministers Nalbandian and Fabius discussed the preparatory works of the upcoming visit of French President Francois Hollande to Armenia upon the invitation of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.

The sides stated with confidence that the bilateral relations are on a high level and touched upon the possibilities of further developing and expanding partnership. In this context Minister Nalbandian noted that already around 160 companies are functioning in Armenia with French investment and Armenia welcomes their growth and initiatives in that direction.

In the light of the Armenia-EU declaration adopted in the framework of the Eastern Partnership Vilnius Summit the sides discussed Armenia-EU relations.

The agenda of negotiations also included Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.

Edward Nalbandian highly appreciating the involvement of France and the other Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, stressed the importance of their joint efforts towards exclusively peaceful settlement of the issue. Minister Nalbandian reaffirmed Armenia’s willingness to continue cooperation with the Minsk Group Co-Chair Countries towards the settlement of the issue.

The sides discussed issues of international and regional agenda in particular the Ukrainian crisis and the possible ways for its regulation. They also touched upon the negotiation process of the Iranian nuclear program.