French President Emmanuel Macron thanked the Armenian people for the warm reception during his state visit to Armenia, speaking at the “Musical Bridge: Armenia–France” concert in Gyumri.

Macron said no one has forgotten the disaster of December 1988, when France stood by Armenia.

“Charles Aznavour sang, France united, more than 500 firefighters, soldiers and sappers came to help you, and Gyumri was reborn. We know all the difficulties you have gone through in recent years. And just as we stood by your side in December 1988, we will stand by your side now. Thank you, Gyumri, thank you, Armenia, never forget, France loves you. Long live Armenia, long live France and long live Gyumri,” Macron said.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the concert in Gyumri was the final event organised as part of the French president’s state visit.

“The reception is so warm that President Macron could not imagine leaving without greeting all of you. On my behalf, I thank you for the warm reception. In France, I told him that he enjoys great popularity in Armenia, and he said I was exaggerating. Now every time we see such a scene, I tell him, you see, I was not exaggerating,” Pashinyan said.

The French president attended the 8th European Political Community summit in Yerevan on 4 May.

On 5 May, French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Armenia began.