During the official ceremony in the City Hall Mayor Taron Margaryan and Paris Mayor Ann Hidalgo delivered their speech.
Once again expressing gratitude for accepting the invitation to his Paris colleague Mayor Taron Margaryan outlined the particular importance of friendship and partnership between Yerevan and Paris.
“During the last two decades the Armenian-French interstate relationship made a great progress at all levels and in all spheres: regular political dialogue, decentralized cooperation, economical, cultural, educational and other spheres. I am sure such relationship was promoted by the fact that at the beginning of the 20th century France was one of the first countries to host thousands of our compatriots survived in the Genocide and to become the second homeland for them. Thank you, Mrs Mayor for permanent attention to Armenians. I am also grateful for your visiting us within the frames of the visit of France President to Yerevan on the Centennial of Armenian Genocide and rendering memory tribute to innocent victims. I'd also like to stress that the role of France in the issue of Armenian Genocide recognition is highly appreciated in Armenia. In this context I express my sincere gratitude for showing support in the organization of exhibition called “Armenia 1915. Paris hosts the exhibition of Yerevan museum-institute of Armenian Genocide” which was held in Paris City Hall within the framework of Yerevan-Paris cooperation. In all times Paris has shown its loyalty to human values. And due to these values Paris can successfully overcome the challenges rooted before it. On the hard days of terrorism which shocked the cultured world the pain and indignation of Paris were shared by Yerevan townspeople as well who expressed their support and respect to the strength and durability with which all this was overcome. Mrs Mayor, I am sure that overcoming any challenges Paris will always be developing and in this regard I expect great perspectives for our bilateral cooperation attaching importance to multilateral cooperation within the frames of European programs”, said the Mayor.
Attaching particular importance to being a member of big Francophonia family Mayor Taron Margaryan noted that it is also another platform to set new ties with French cities:
“I attach big importance to our cooperation within the framework of Francophone Mayors Association. During the 36th Forum held recently in Beirut a number of issues were discussed. I hope that due to joint efforts we'll be able to find solutions to those problems. Being a member of a big Francophonia family we always mark Francophonia days with big solemnity. more than 100 various events are held in educational and cultural establishments I'd like to mention that it's an honour for me to host you in Yerevan on this day. I am glad that you are participating in the events dedicated to our 2798-year-old capital. I am sure that your visit will serve a new stimulus for the friendship and partnership between our capitals for the benefit of our citizens and welfare of our co-citizens”, said Mayor Taron Margaryan.
In her speech Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo expressed gratitude to Yerevan Mayor for the invitation and stressing the present-day high level of French-Armenian relations said that the role of Armenian community of France is very important in this issue. Anne Hidalgo also attached importance to Yerevan membership in the International Association of Francophone Mayors and noted that it also plays an important role in strengthening bilateral ties.
“Yerevan and all Armenia in general are a part of the big French speaking community. And it can't be expressed only by speaking French. First of all it is the mission to share the same culture, humanitarian values. Thank you, Mr Mayor, for your active participation in the International Association of Francophone Mayors which is currently chaired by me. Each of the members of the big Francophonia family carries out concrete functions in his city. And today I can claim that the tight cooperation between Yerevan and Paris is aimed at our common belief that development should be permanently promoted in all directions creating this way the possibility for future generations to be more certain and confident about the future. I'd like to outline particularly the importance of your consistent approaches to the issues of educational programs which is the most vivid proof that you are also of the opinion that the youth, the subsequent generation need to be encouraged so that they will be able to ensure our common bright future. Education, new technologies, craft are the directions in which we can develop mutually beneficial cooperation”, said Paris Mayor.
Congratulating Yerevan Mayor once again on the event Paris Mayor Ann Hidalgo noted that Yerevan Day celebration will serve one more inspiration to make the cooperation between the two capitals closer.
“Let me thank you once again for the warmth you host us in Yerevan. It's really an honour for us to celebrate Yerevan Day together with you. I am really happy to share this events with you and Yerevan residents and I am sure that these moments will inspire us to develop our cooperation. Long life to Yerevan! Long life to Pris and French-Armenian friendship”, said Paris Mayor.

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of the City hall of Yerevan