Welcoming the guest, Minister Nalbandian mentioned that the visit is a good opportunity to have a bilateral meeting and discuss a range of issues on further deepening and expanding the Armenian-French privileged relations.

Thanking for the reception, Secretary of State Désir characterized the Armenian-French relations as exceptional, and stressed that it is a great honour for him to represent France at such an important francophone event held in Yerevan.

Edward Nalbandian and Harlem Désir discussed issues of expansion of bilateral cooperation, commended regular high-level visits between the two states and decentralized cooperation. 

Armenia-European Union cooperation and works on formation of a new legal basis of it were on the agenda of the meeting. In this regard, Armenia’s Foreign Minister highlighted that the Council of the European Union would confirm the mandate of EU negotiating team in the near future and, thus, enable the beginning of negotiation.

Interlocutors exchanged thoughts on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement. Minister Nalbandian presented to the guest consequences of the escalated tensions along the border with Armenia and Line of Contact with Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of Azerbaijan’s provocations. Secretary of State Désir, stressing that France would continue its active engagement in the Minsk Group Co-Chairs format for exclusively peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, emphasized the importance of strict adherence to the maintenance of cease-fire regime.

Minister Nalbandian and Secretary of State Désir reflected on bilateral cooperation within international institutions.

Developments unfolding in the Middle East and ways to resolve those issues, fight against terrorist groups were on the agenda of talks.