During his official visit to France on December 17, Armenia’s Minister of Defense, Suren Papikyan, met with French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu. The meeting began with an official welcoming ceremony, including a guard of honor and the playing of the national anthems of both countries.
At the start of the meeting, Minister Papikyan expressed condolences over the recent tragic cyclone in France’s Mayotte territory, extending wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.
The discussions centered on the current state and prospects of defense cooperation between Armenia and France. Papikyan underscored the importance of fulfilling previously agreed commitments and emphasized Armenia’s readiness to develop cooperation in new areas. Both parties reaffirmed that the collaboration is established on long-term and institutional foundations, encompassing strategic and technological components. Minister Lecornu reiterated France’s commitment to continuing and expanding defense cooperation with Armenia.
As part of his visit, Papikyan also met with Cedric Perrin, Chairman of the French Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Armed Forces, along with several members of the Senate. The discussions addressed bilateral defense cooperation and its developmental prospects.
Minister Papikyan praised the Senate’s consistent support, which has played a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral achievements and expanding collaboration. Perrin, in turn, reaffirmed the Senate’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Armenia in the defense sector.
The talks also touched upon regional security threats, underscoring the importance of ensuring peace and stability.
The Armenia-France defense partnership is not only focused on strengthening bilateral ties but also on promoting regional stability. These meetings highlight the strategic commitment of both countries to address common challenges and deepen their partnership based on mutual trust and shared objectives.
