Yerevan Mayor Hrachya Sargsyan who is in Marseille with an official visit to participate in the events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of friendship and cooperation between Yerevan and Marseille, visited Borely park accompanied by the vice Mayor of Marseille Yanick Ohanissian who is Armenian by nation.
Yerevan Mayor made a speech during the official ceremony. Expressing gratitude for the invitation and celebration of Yerevan-Marseille collaboration jubilee, Hrachya Sargsyan stressed that throughout its course the Armenian-French ties have made progress both in decentralized cooperation and in economic, cultural, education fields.
“It’s an honour for me to be together with our friends on this day and to mark the 30th jubilee of our successful collaboration. From the very beginning of the establishment of bilateral ties numerous joint programs have been implemented including the ones carried out within the frames of European programs. During the pandemic and war periods, when we encountered our greatest hardships, Marseille was next to Yerevan. Significant humanitarian aid which was vital was sent to the municipal medical establishments and we are grateful for it. I would also like to thank for the formula of Artsakh independence recognition presented at the session of Marseille City Council. It has been mentioned many times that among other French cities Marseille has a peculiar place in each Armenian’s heart: it was the first French city to shelter our compatriots escaped from the Armenian Genocide and to become the second homeland for them”, said the Mayor of Yerevan in his speech.
The vice Mayor of Marseille Yanick Ohanissian in his turn stressed that strengthening ties with Armenia is of particular significance for them. He also expressed confidence that within a few years the cooperation will include new directions. According to him, together with the Mayor of Yerevan they often point out the problems related to Armenia in general and to Yerevan in particular and this proves bilateral willingness to develop the cooperation and shows to what extent Yerevan is in their heart. It is obvious that this cooperation must be long-lasting. The vice Mayor also expressed hope that the next meeting will be in Yerevan when he arrives in Yerevan together with the Mayor of Marseille.
Yerevan Mayor also talked to the representatives of the Armenian community. Hrachya Sargsyan stressed that the Armenian community of France, and particularly of Marseille had a significant contribution to the present-day high level of Armenian-French relationship.