On August 22, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, met with Louise Mushikiwabo, Foreign Minister of Rwanda, who was accompanied by Regis Immongault, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francophonie and Regional Integration of Gabon, as a representative of African Union.

Welcoming the guests, Minister Mnatsakanyan attached importance to his colleagues’ visit as the first high-level visit to Armenia from Rwanda and Gabon. The Minister highlighted that our agendas tally in matters relating to the development of the country, including innovation, high technologies, agriculture, development agenda and youth, among others. The Foreign Minister of Armenia underlined the political interest of the Armenian authorities to further expand the collaboration with the African continent.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Rwanda highly valued the effective cooperation established in international platforms, emphasizing the importance to undertake steps towards promotion of bilateral agenda.

The Foreign Minister of Armenia presented the preparational works for the OIF Summit to be held in Yerevan this October, as well as the meaning of the motto of the summit, “Live together,” noting that the organization of the Summit is a great honor and, at the same time, a great responsibility, and the Armenian side is most seriously committed to organizing it on the highest level. In this context, Foreign Minister Mnatsakanyan noted that Armenia attaches great importance to the role of the OIF as an effective platform for dialogue and exchange of views and as an active member of the Organization Armenia is loyal to the universal values and goals of La Francophonie. The interlocutors exchanged thoughts regarding the agenda of the Summit, as well as the expected events and documents to be submitted to the participants for approval.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia presented to his colleagues Armenia’s consistent and principal steps in the international platforms towards preventing genocide and crimes against humanity, by highlighting the importance of joint efforts of Armenia and Rwanda in this matter. Minister Mnatsakanyan added that Armenia undertakes the aforementioned initiatives as a responsible member of the international community, with the purpose of preventing of such calamity from befalling on yet another nation. The interlocutors highlighted that not only are the two nations united in the mutual history, but also in their capacity to resist and their determination of survival.

Within the frameworks of the visit, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda and Gabon visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex and paid tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, as well as left a note in the Commemoration Book of the Museum of the Armenian Genocide.