On September 11, Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan met with Michaëlle Jean, the Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), who arrived in Armenia on an official visit.

Welcoming the guest Minister Mnatsakanyan thanked Secretary General Michaëlle Jean for the support provided to Armenian within the framework of the Organization. The Minister noted that Armenia attaches great importance to the role of the OIF as a platform for cooperation, dialogue and exchange of views and is committed to the values ​​of Francophonie.

Expressing gratitude for the reception, the OIF Secretary General noted: "We are very glad and happy that Armenia hosts the Summit of La Francophonie and that "Living Together” has been selected as a slogan and theme. It is always a great pleasure for me to be in Armenia as the OIF Secretary General. "

The counterparts touched in detail upon the preparations for the summit of La Francophonie to be held in October in Yerevan, the agenda, the planned events, as well as the documents to be submitted to the participants for approval. In that context Minister Mnatsakanyan assured that the Armenian authorities are committed to organizing the summit at the highest level. The parties expressed confidence that the decisions and documents to be adopted at the Yerevan summit will contribute to raising the effectiveness of the role and activity of the Organisation.

Presenting the priorities of Armenia's upcoming presidency in the Organization, Foreign Minister Mnatsakanyan highlighted as the priority direction the innovation development and digital agenda, as well as the promotion of cooperation within that framework. In this regard, both sides underscored the importance of establishment of a network of Ministers responsible for the digital sphere, the conduct of digital and business forums, which will pave the way for the development of economic cooperation within La Francophonie.

Touching upon the message of "Living Together" slogan, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan noted that the slogan proposed by Armenia and its message symbolize the respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms, social tolerance, peaceful coexistence, equality between women and men, youth preference: those also represent the priorities of the Armenian government. The sides underscored the importance of youth engagement and the dialogue with civil society as an integral part of a sustainable development agenda.

During the discussion on the side events of the Summit, Foreign Minister of Armenia and the Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie talked about the Francophonie Village, the Gala concert with the participation of prominent francophone singers, as well as the 47th conference of the International Francophone Press Union to be held in Tsakhkadzor.

At the end of the meeting the Foreign Minister of Armenia and the Secretary General of the International Organization of La  Francophonie held a joint press conference on the outcome of the meeting.

Within the framework of the official visit to Armenia, Michaëlle Jean, the OIC Secretary General also visited Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex and paid tribute to the memory of victims of the Armenian Genocide.