A two-month long Francophonie season this year is launched in the context of an outstanding decision adopted by the heads of the Francophone states and governments in November, 2016, to hold the 17th summit of La Francophonie in 2018 in Yerevan.

A start of the countdown for this event to be held in 2018 has been given and our country is preparing in a best way to ensure the success of this summit.

A two-month-long Francophonie season, which we have organised over the years, is a vivid display of Armenia’s commitment towards La Francophonie. It will demonstrate once again our devotion to the Francophone values and cultural and linguistic diversity.

This two-month long season with more than 600 cultural, educational and artistic events, being held in all regions of Armenia, is, indeed, an outstanding event in the whole area of the Francophone family.

The two-month long season is also an occasion to celebrate solemnly the international day of La Francophonie together with all Francophone actors of Armenia: state structures, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, diplomatic representations of the Francophone countries accredited in Armenia, the local self-governing bodies, schools and universities. I would like to once again express gratitude for their active participation.

We also welcome the inclusion of the two-month long Francophonie season in the “Great tour of 2017” initiative launched by the International Organisation of La Francophonie and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France. In the framework of the initiative cultural travels dedicated to La Francophonie will be conducted throughout this year.

I wish all the success to the 2017 two-month long Francophonie season in Armenia.

Edward Nalbandian

Minister of Foreign Affairs

of the Republic of Armenia