The first session of the Interagency Commission for preparation and holding of the 17th Summit of the heads of state and governments of La Francophonie, chaired by Karen Karapetyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, took place in the Government.

Edward Nalbandian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, noted, that the Summit of La Francophonie will be held in Armenia in 2018 and that our country will assume the two-year presidency of this large organisation, comprised of 84 members, associate and observer states and governments. According to Foreign Minister, for the first time Armenia will be holding an event of such high level, scope and such large international involvement. It is expected that the Summit will be attended by around fifty heads of states and governments, as well as 31 delegations of partner organisations of La Francophonie. More than hundred delegations are expected to arrive and the total number of guests will reach about 4,000 people. Three days before the start of the two-day Summit, the Conference of Foreign Ministers will take place, which will be preceded by the Permanent Council session.

At the Summit an emphasis will be put on such areas as sustainable development, innovation, information technologies, cultural diversity, youth issues, etc. This event gives an opportunity to organise an economic business forum with broad representation of companies and enterprises from francophone countries. Within that framework, it is proposed to hold an exhibition of Armenian products and services, through which Armenia's trade and investment opportunities, as well as tourism potential will be presented.

Prime Minister Karapetyan attached an importance to organising such a large - scale event in our country on a high level and noted. "It is an interesting event, an interesting platform, and using this opportunity we can present our country in a best way and make it more recognisable."

Prime Minister instructed the heads of the agencies concerned to assign representatives for the working group headed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.