Russia threatened French planes in the Black Sea, Paris says

Emil Lazarian
POLITICO
Feb 22 2024

Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu said it’s a bid to “intimidate” France.

BY LAURA KAYALI

PARIS — Russia directly threatened French planes in the Black Sea recently, French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu said Thursday. 

"A month ago, a Russian air traffic control system threatened to shoot down French aircraft in the Black Sea, even though we were in the internationally free zone in which we patrol," he told French radio RTL.

Lecornu’s comments come as the war in Ukraine is about to enter its third year, amid growing pessimism about the conflict's outcome.

European governments, however, insist that Russian President Vladimir Putin still doesn't have the upper hand. Moscow's increasingly agressive stance "is explained by the fact that Russia is in trouble on the battlefield in Ukraine," Lecornu said.

"This is as old as the Cold War, but we're seeing the return of a particularly aggressive Russian stance," he said, adding that Moscow was "playing with the thresholds."

A Russian warship also recently anchored in Baie de Seine in northern France at the edge of territorial waters in a bid to "intimidate" France, Lecornu said.

The French minister is set to fly to Armenia later Thursday — the first such visit by a French armed forces minister and a sign of France's deepening defense ties with Armenia.

Armenia is edging away from its historical relationship with Moscow and Paris is seeking to increase its influence with former Russian allies, including Moldova and Central Asian countries.

Defense companies including MBDA, Nexter, Safran, Thales and Arquus are in the delegation flying to Armenia with Lecornu.

France Bolsters Armenia’s Defense with Advanced Radar Systems and Training Commitment

George Mamian
Feb 22 2024
Mahnoor Jehangir

In a world where global dynamics shift with the wind, the recent defense agreements between Armenia and France stand as a testament to the enduring power of strategic partnerships. As Armenia secures three Ground Master 200 (GM200) radar systems and night-vision goggles from France, a deeper narrative of mutual respect and commitment unfolds, transcending mere transactional diplomacy.

The heart of this alliance beats within the details of the defense pact. Armenia, a nation with a rich history and complex geopolitical challenges, has embarked on a significant upgrade of its defense capabilities. The acquisition of three GM200 radar systems from the French defense group Thales marks a transformative step in Armenia's ability to monitor its airspace with cutting-edge technology. These radars, boasting a range of 250 kilometers, are not just tools of warfare but instruments of peace, designed to fortify Armenia's ability to defend its territory and population.

Complementing this radar acquisition, the contract for night-vision goggles from another French group, Safran, highlights the multifaceted approach to enhancing Armenia's military readiness. In the shadows of uncertainty, these goggles will empower Armenian soldiers with the ability to see the unseen, providing a critical advantage in night operations.

France's involvement extends far beyond the provision of military hardware. The French Defence Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, emphasized the comprehensive nature of this cooperation, which includes the French army's commitment to train Armenian troops within the year. This initiative is not just about skill transfer; it's a bridge between cultures, an exchange of values, and a mutual commitment to security and stability. The training, particularly in mountain combat, is tailored to the unique challenges Armenian forces face, ensuring they are not just equipped but also adept in leveraging these technologies to their full potential.

The defense agreements between Armenia and France are underpinned by a shared commitment to peace and stability. French President Emmanuel Macron and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have both highlighted the importance of this partnership in preventing escalation and supporting Armenia's territorial integrity. This relationship, however, is not just about defense. It's a reflection of a deeper alliance, one that includes assistance to refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, infrastructure development, and support for Armenia's democratic processes.

At a time when global tensions often seem insurmountable, the defense cooperation between Armenia and France emerges as a beacon of hope. It's a reminder that, in the complex chessboard of international relations, there are moves that can simultaneously enhance security and foster peace. As Armenia strengthens its defense capabilities with French support, the message is clear: this is not just about preparing for the worst; it's about building a foundation for lasting peace and stability.

https://bnnbreaking.com/conflict-defence/military/france-bolsters-armenias-defense-with-advanced-radar-systems-and-training-commitment

Amidst Challenges, Russian Ambassador in Armenia Stresses the Importance of an Enduring Alliance

Emil Lazarian
Feb 22 2024
María Alejandra Trujillo

As the crisp air of an early Yerevan morning mingled with the solemnity of Victory Park, a gathering marked by the gravity of historical remembrance and the warmth of shared sentiments unfolded. I stood among those assembled to observe Defender of the Fatherland Day, an occasion that, as Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin would articulate, holds profound significance far beyond the ceremonials. It was a moment that encapsulated both the enduring bonds and the complex realities facing the Russia-Armenia alliance today.

"Today is not just a day of remembrance; it is a symbol of our ongoing commitment to the values of patriotism, love for the motherland, and the readiness to stand in its defense," Kopyrkin addressed the crowd, his voice imbuing the morning's chill with a palpable warmth. The day's resonance in Armenia, he noted, is deep-seated, rooted in the collective memory of a combative brotherhood that stretches back to the shared victory against Nazism. This historical tapestry, woven with the sacrifices of those who have laid down their lives, underscores a brotherhood that transcends time – a point Kopyrkin emphasized with solemn reverence.

Yet, amidst the remembrance, the specter of current adversities loomed large. Kopyrkin acknowledged the multifaceted challenges both nations face, emphasizing that these trials have only heightened the need to honor and respect those who serve. "The defenders of our fatherlands, in these trying times, deserve our utmost respect," he stated, a sentiment that resonated deeply with those in attendance. It was a poignant reminder that the values celebrated on Defender of the Fatherland Day – and indeed, the very concept of defense – have taken on new complexities in the contemporary geopolitical landscape.

Despite these challenges, Kopyrkin's message was ultimately one of hope and unity. He spoke of the preservation and strengthening of the Russia-Armenia alliance, not merely as a matter of state policy but as a reflection of the deep-seated ties that bind the peoples of both nations. The mutual celebration of holidays such as Defender of the Fatherland Day and Army Day in Armenia, observed on January 28, serves as a testament to this enduring connection. "Our allied relations stem from our peoples’ interests," Kopyrkin concluded, a statement that underscored the shared path both nations tread towards a future marked by cooperation and mutual respect.

As the event drew to a close and the attendees began to disperse, the significance of the day's commemorations lingered in the air, a reminder of the sacrifices made and the challenges ahead. Yet, in the words of Ambassador Kopyrkin and the shared sentiments of those gathered, there was also a palpable sense of hope – a recognition that the bonds forged in the crucible of history hold the promise of a resilient and enduring alliance.

https://bnnbreaking.com/world/russia/amidst-challenges-russian-ambassador-in-armenia-stresses-the-importance-of-an-enduring-alliance

Armenia and Azerbaijan: A Dance of Diplomacy and Discord

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
feb 22 2024

In the heart of a bustling Paris, a stage was set not for the romance of its streets but for the unfolding drama of international diplomacy. The protagonists, Edmon Marukyan, Armenia's Ambassador-at-Large, and the ever-contentious neighbor Azerbaijan, found themselves locked in a narrative that treads the thin line between peace and provocation. At a press conference with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a critical dialogue emerged, spotlighted by none other than French President Emmanuel Macron.

Amid the historic backdrop of Paris, Marukyan voiced a potent critique against Azerbaijan's reaction to Macron's overtures of peace. It was not merely a question of diplomatic etiquette but a profound inquiry into the sincerity of Azerbaijan's peace commitments. Marukyan underscored the irony in Azerbaijan condemning peace-oriented statements while simultaneously engaging in military exercises and hurling accusations of ethnic cleansing and territorial occupation at Armenia. This, he argued, painted a stark contrast between proclaimed peace endeavors and actual military actions.

The narrative takes a deeper dive as we explore the underlying contradictions. While Azerbaijan faces criticism for its military posturing, the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis painted a different picture, highlighting the positive strides in peace negotiations and border delimitation talks. The discourse pointed towards efforts at long-term peace and stability in the region, underscored by large-scale rehabilitation and reconstruction work in liberated territories. The bilateral meeting between the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia was projected as a significant step toward mending fences, with a focus on establishing relations based on international law norms and principles for enduring stability.

In the face of accusations and military maneuvers, Armenia's stance, as articulated by Marukyan, centered on the defense of its territorial integrity. The country's military cooperations were framed not as acts of aggression but as necessary measures to safeguard against external threats. This perspective sheds light on the complex dynamics of international relations, where actions are often interpreted through the prism of national security and sovereignty.

The dance of diplomacy and discord between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with Paris as its latest arena, encapsulates the challenges of achieving peace in a landscape marked by historical grievances and contemporary geopolitical tensions. As each side navigates the fine line between defending its interests and striving for a peaceful resolution, the international community watches closely, hoping for a future where dialogue triumphs over discord.

UNICEF: Refugee journeys: Families share their experiences of displacement after fleeing to Armenia

Boshkezenian Garik
UNICEF
Feb 21 2024
Gor Petrosyan

In September 2023 an escalation in hostilities resulted in more than 30,000 children and their families fleeing to Armenia. In the months that followed they reflect on their experiences while trying to rebuild their lives.

Armine and her family have settled in Vanadzor but remember vividly their journey to safety.

“We spent two days in the basement, followed by two to three days here and there, unable to return home. [Eventually] we began our escape. It was September 25, my birthday, and as I looked around at the countless cars and people gathered in the convoy, I couldn’t help but reflect that never had so many people gathered to mark my birthday,” says Armine.

“We've now settled in Vanadzor. We are among four displaced families who have rented apartments on the building's first floor. Sometimes, we playfully jest that we've created a small homeland. It helps lighten the mood considerably,” she adds.

"The people of Lori have warmly embraced us. In our first days here, our neighbours collected funds and purchased essential household items for all of us."

Currently, the family does not have much money so Armine's husband has contemplated going abroad for work. They are concerned, however, about the impact that further separation and uncertainty would have on their son.

Evelina, her three children—10-year-old Eva, eight-year-old Elena, and three-year-old Hrachik—and her mother-in-law, have settled in the city of Ijevan in northern Armenia. Evelina's husband, Arthur, had already passed away. Without a car of their own, their journey to Armenia was challenging. 

“We got into our neighbour's car. I had kept a small reserve of gasoline for a rainy day. I handed it over to our neighbour, emphasizing the urgency of finding my son who had been in the field when it all began. He agreed and started driving. I kept calling out his name, as we continued our frantic search until we reached the neighbouring village,” Evelina recalls. She was told that children from the kindergarten were sheltering in one of the village's basements. “I spotted Hrachik. I hugged him tightly,” she adds.

Evelina cannot recall the details of how they made their way to Armenia. “There was a single available seat in the car of one of our relatives, so we placed my mother-in-law in that car. There was another seat available in my brother-in-law's car. I explained to my daughters that they had to share that one. Despite their tears and reluctance to go without me, I convinced them. My son and I went in one car, and then another, and slowly inched forward,” she details. Three days later, the family was reunited in Goris.

After everything that they have endured, Evelina says she sometimes struggles to stay hopeful.

“I find myself occasionally sinking into a state of depression, but then I look at our three children and say to myself, 'Evelina, you must rally your spirits; you have to believe so that your children can too,” 'she says.

“I embarked on the journey with my wife, four children, and mother-in-law. My car broke down on the way. We found ourselves stranded in the middle of the road, surrounded by darkness and rain.” Gurgen explains. The family managed to find space in other cars so they could continue their journey.

Along the way, Gurgen's children fell ill, and they had little food, no medicine, and no means of communication. 

“The children cried of hunger. Amidst those desperate sounds, a woman who had brought some flour with her, started a small fire on the side of the road, and baked bread for us.” 

The family reached Goris three days later. “There, I finally was able to reach my relatives to make sure that everyone is ok.” It was then that he received the devastating news that his father had been killed when the gas warehouse exploded.

It was during this time that, for three days, Gurgen's 14-year-old son Vazgen stopped talking.

Vazgen's sister, 10-year-old Karine, says they were given a house in Armenia's Berkaber village. “My dad is working on renovating [the house]. It's quite nice here, and the school is going well, but I can't help but miss everything from back home. I miss my bicycle, my books, my dog Topan, and my fluffy cat,” she says.

In response to the crisis, from September to December 2023, UNICEF provided critical humanitarian support to families and communities who have had to flee to Armenia. As people arrived in Armenia, they were given essential supplies including hygiene kits, food packages, clothing vouchers and warm blankets and bedding. UNICEF and partners worked to support the government of Armenia’s efforts to ensure that access to essential services remained uninterrupted including enrolling children in school and providing crucial healthcare. Psychosocial support services have been made available to help children and their families recover from the distress they have endured.

Despite the progress families have made in adjusting to their new homes, their humanitarian needs remain acute. The journey is not over for Gurgen, Armine, Evelina and thousands like them. They need continued humanitarian support.

Pakistan Azerbaijan JF 17 Fighter Jet Deal: Pakistan signs largest ever JF 17C fighter jet sale with Azerbaijan amid India Armenia Pinaka deal

Hagop Kamalian
Feb 22 2024

Baku: Pakistan has made the biggest defense deal in its history so far. Turkey’s friend Azerbaijan has signed a deal with Pakistan to buy JF-17 fighter jets worth $1.6 billion. Azerbaijan will receive JF-17C Block 3 class fighter jets jointly developed by Pakistan and China. Under this deal, apart from fighter jets, training and weapons will also be given to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is buying this fighter jet at a time when it is continuously threatening its neighboring country Armenia. Not only this, recently Armenia had said that after almost a year of peace, Azerbaijan had killed 4 of its soldiers. To deal with Azerbaijan, Armenia is purchasing many deadly weapons including Pinaka from India.

Pakistan will give JF 17 fighter jet to Azerbaijan

Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Company manufactures this fighter aircraft. China has provided the technology of JF 17 fighter jet to Pakistan. Apart from China, this company also makes weapons with the technical help of Turkey. Pakistani company supplies arms to Myanmar, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE. This aircraft is manufactured in Kamra, Pakistan. This aircraft of Pakistan and China has become junk in Myanmar and is not even fit to fly. For this reason, the Myanmar Army had issued a stern warning to Pakistan. Myanmar’s Army Chief had even threatened.

Now Pakistan is trying to show it to other countries of the world by selling this fighter jet to its friend Azerbaijan. Pakistan has offered this aircraft to many countries in Africa and Asia but it is not finding a buyer. Talks regarding this aircraft were going on between Pakistan and Azerbaijan for the last decade. The aircraft purchased by Azerbaijan flew for the first time in December 2019. Azerbaijan has purchased drones from Turkey and Israel on a large scale and is continuously strengthening its defense preparedness.

Azerbaijan currently has MiG 29 and Sukhoi 25 fighter jets which are becoming quite old. An agreement regarding this aircraft was signed between Azerbaijan and Pakistan for the first time in 2011 but the deal was not signed. This aircraft has a Russian engine installed due to which the Putin government will also keep an eye on this deal. While Azerbaijan is continuously purchasing killer weapons, Armenia has now reached the shelter of India. India has supplied Pinaka rocket system to Armenia. Apart from this, state-of-the-art artillery has also been given to Armenia. Many more deals are under negotiation in the coming times.

https://nationworldnews.com/pakistan-azerbaijan-jf-17-fighter-jet-deal-pakistan-signs-largest-ever-jf-17c-fighter-jet-sale-with-azerbaijan-amid-india-armenia-pinaka-deal/


MISSAK MANOUCHIAN ENTERS THE PANTHÉON!

Kalashian Nyrie
Taurillon
Feb 22 2024

22 February, by Antonios Tashejian

Mort Pour la France

On 21 February 1944, 22 members of the French Resistance were shot to death by Nazi Germany, through the collaboration of Vichy France, at Mont-Valérien, in the suburbs of Paris. Exactly 80 years later, France has decided to bestow the highest honor possible on a human being by the state: an interment in the Panthéon in Paris for Missak Manouchian and his partner Mélinée. Manouchian was head of the group known as Francs-tireurs et partisans – main-d’œuvre immigrée  (FTP-MOI) from 1943 until his death. It was the “immigrant faction” of the Communist French Resistance.

Missak Manouchian was an Armenian. He becomes the first foreigner to enter the Panthéon. Born in 1906 in the Ottoman Empire, young Manouchian witnessed the death of both of his parents during the Armenian Genocide. In the 1920s, he ended up at an Armenian Orphanage in Lebanon and from there found his way to France where he eventually settled in September 1924. He first lived in Marseille before moving to Paris where he twice applied for naturalization as a French citizen but both applications were rejected. He was therefore killed stateless.

Manouchian was a poet and translator who translated the works of Hugo, Rimbaud and Verlaine, among others, to Armenian. He was an ardent communist since 1934. His political beliefs of anti-fascism were the primary reason he joined the French Resistance.

La Patrie reconnaissante

“[…] I am certain that the French people and all those who have fought for freedom will know how to honour our memory with dignity,” he said in his last letter to his wife, Mélinée.

President Emmanuel Macron announced that Manouchian would be interred in the Panthéon exactly 80 years after he was killed. The ceremony took place on the 21st of February 2024.

For around two weeks prior, museums, cultural centers and media outlets across France honored his memory and that of his companions. For example, the Holocaust Memorial (Mémorial de la Shoah) in Paris is currently holding a temporary exhibit on Manouchian and other “foreigners in the Resistance.”

The ceremony commenced on Rue Soufflot which leads to the entrance of the Panthéon. Named after the prime architect of this grand imposing structure, Jacques-Germain Soufflot, the street was filled with people of all walks of life defying the rain, the wind and the cold to honor a man who fought for our rights to live in a France of freedoms, in dignity and respect.

To the sounds of the duduk, an Armenian musical instrument, and music for Charles Aznavour (Ils sont tombés), Léo Ferré (L’affiche rouge), Gomidas (Grunk) and other French revolutionary songs, the two coffins wrapped in French flags made their way up the Rue Soufflot on the shoulders of members of the French Foreign Legion, marking three symbolic stops: (1) Manouchian’s survival of the Armenian Genocide, (2) his choice to move to France and start a better life for himself, and (3) his activities as head of the “immigrant faction” of the Communist French Resistance and death. Excerpts of poems and letters for Manouchian were also read aloud.

Once in the majestic structure, the Panthéon, President Emmanuel Macron gave a poignant speech in the presence of MPs, Ministers, Ambassadors and even the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his wife. He spoke on the lives of the 23 resistance fighters and at the end exclaimed, “Missak Manouchian […], a grateful France welcomes you.”

An excerpt from Missak Manouchian’s last letter to Mélinée:

“[…] Bonheur à ceux qui vont nous survivre et goûter la douceur de la liberté et de la paix de demain. […] Au moment de mourir, je proclame que je n’ai aucune haine contre le peuple allemand et contre qui que ce soit, chacun aura ce qu’il méritera comme châtiment et comme récompense. Le peuple allemand et tous les autres peuples vivront en paix et en fraternité après la guerre qui ne durera plus longtemps. Bonheur à tous ! […]”

The translation:

“[…] Happiness to those who will survive us and taste the sweetness of the freedom and peace of tomorrow. […] At the time of my death, I proclaim that I have no hate towards the German people nor against anyone else; each will merit the consequences that they deserve. The German people and all other peoples will live in a spirit of peace and fraternity after the war which will not last long. Happiness to all! […]”

This commemoration must not only be celebrated in France but also across Europe. Manouchian was a stateless immigrant, an orphan of the Armenian Genocide, a working class worker, a poet, a translator, an ardent anti-fascist and communist believing in freedom and dignity for all. He died for France, but it is all of Europe that must now honor his memory.

About the author

Editor-in-Chief (Junior) of The New Federalist. Antonios is a Writer, Researcher and Graduate Student in Geopolitics. He focuses on questions of nationalism, identity and belonging, ethno-political conflicts and mass atrocities, power and memory, and intertwines Jewish and Armenian histories.

https://www.taurillon.org/missak-manouchian-enters-the-pantheon?lang=fr

Between Russia and the West, or The Servant of Two Masters: The Role of Armenia in the Russian-Ukrainian War

Ani Kharatian
Feb 22 2024
written by Gary Cartwright

This sketch came to mind today as I pondered what words to use to label the Armenian government’s strategy in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Is it “eating your cake and having it too”?

Or the slightly old-fashioned “running with the hare and hunting with the hounds”? Being blatantly duplicitous? Dancing at two weddings at the same time? Or perhaps serving two masters — since Armenia prides itself on its Christian heritage, this idiom might hit right home.

You see, Armenia’s problem is that, on the one hand, it very much wants to be friends with the West, and on the other hand, it very much does not want to be at odds with Russia and, most importantly, to lose the immense money brought by the illegal export of sanctioned goods to Putin’s empire of evil.

Last week in Munich, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia is not an ally of Moscow in its war against Ukraine, but that it sides with Ukrainian “friends,” although it cannot to exert much influence on the conflict. Or can it?

Over the past two years, Armenia, a nation of three million people in the South Caucasus, has become the fourth largest exporter of semiconductors and dual-use (read: military) goods to Russia.

In just 12 months, the country’s economic growth amounted to an unprecedented 14%, placing it third in the world in terms of growth rate.

“Armenia’s exports to Russia are up 430% from before the invasion, which is about re-export of EU and Chinese goods to Russia. That’s not the end of it. Armenia’s exports to Kazakhstan are up 1200%, to Kyrgyzstan 1600%, to Uzbekistan 250% and to the UAE 900%.

“All going to Russia” tweeted the former director of the Institute of International Finance and former strategist at Goldman Sachs Robin Brooks on February 17th.

In the first nine months of 2023, Armenia’s exports to Russia grew by 85%, with 80% of this huge volume accounted for by re-exports.

These are the numbers acknowledged by Vaan Sirunyan, Armenia’s deputy minister of finance. Overall, according to the Jamestown Foundation think tank, Armenia’s foreign trade turnover has increased by 69% since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

Analysts believe that this economic miracle was due to re-exports from Armenia to Russia.

A joint statement by the U.S. Departments of Justice, Commerce, and Treasury classifies Armenia as a hub for intermediaries or trans-shipment points used to circumvent sanctions and export controls related to Russia and Belarus. Because that’s what friends of Ukraine would do, right?

The year is 2024, Armenia’s role in supplying Putin’s Russia with everything it needs to continue with the war is an open secret, and no one seems to be doing anything about it.

Is the declared intention to become part of Western civilization enough for that civilization to turn a blind eye to the fact that right now Armenia is literally supplying Russia with sanctioned goods, including those for military purposes?

It seems so.

The media widely cover this issue, major European, American, Canadian and Ukrainian publications have repeatedly reported that Armenia has become the key hub for transshipment of sanctioned goods from the United States, Europe, China, Taiwan and other countries to Russia.

Moreover, there are reasons to believe that the volume of re-exports through this South Caucasus country will only grow in the near future: while the U.S. and its allies are exercising all their influence to persuade Turkey, Gulf States and Central Asian countries not to participate in shady schemes to supply sanctioned goods to Russia, Armenia remains virtually the only route to bypass sanctions.

In addition, Armenia’s favorable geographic location makes it an ideal transshipment point for arms and weapons shipments from Iran, another anti-Western rogue state.

Just think how much money this generates on a daily basis for those involved in illegal supply chains. While calculating profits, there is no time to think about how many lives this costs Ukraine every day.

“No one can serve two masters,” reads the Gospel. “Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Or, as the Russians put it, “you cannot sit on two chairs with one butt” (I have to give them credit, Russians know how to put thoughts into words).

I would wish that Armenia, as well as the West, would heed this.

France is one of first countries to respond to Armenia’s decision to diversify its security sector: Pashinyan to Lecornu

Emma Jilavian

 14:31,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the delegation led by French Minister for the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, who arrived on an official visit to the Republic of Armenia.

According to the readout issued by the PM's office, welcoming the delegation led by the Minister of the Armed Forces, the Prime Minister noted. "Dear Minister, I welcome you and your delegation to the Republic of Armenia. This is the first visit of you and, in general, the Minister of the Armed Forces of France to the Republic of Armenia, and it is already historic by this fact.

I want to thank you for your support in forming our bilateral agenda and implementing that agenda. I must emphasize that, of course, the changes taking place in our security situation and cooperation are logical and justified. Of course, by thanking you, I should also consider it logical that France is one of the first countries to respond to our decision to diversify our relations in the field of security, because as we had the opportunity to discuss in Paris two days ago, our relations are very deep and multi-layered, and it is logical that these relations must be expressed also in the field of defense and security. I also want to emphasize that the security component has always been present in our discussions with President Macron, and now I am glad that these discussions are getting a concrete _expression_, including with your support."

In his turn, Sébastien Lecornu noted. "Thank you for these words and reception. You thrilled the French people with your presence at the Pantheon. It can be said that this was a very unique week for our two republics. As I told the media representatives with whom I just met, there was indeed a certain gap: on the one hand, the warm friendly relations that we had, and the defense sector, which was not yet fully realized.

I think that your personal relationship with the French president also plays a big role in this progress. I think it's based on trust, and let me say, our mutual trust as well. I think that our teams have mapped out a very specific path for us together with your Defense Ministry. And taking into account the threats that hang over Armenia's head, we are forced to move forward faster. That is, it is very important for us to react quickly and arrange the steps.

A lot was already underway, but thanks to the bilateral relations and the meeting you had with President Macron, it allowed us to move forward this morning in the same directions you had indicated together in Paris."

According to the source, the interlocutors discussed the works carried out in the direction of defense cooperation and upcoming plans.

The parties emphasized Armenia-France cooperation within the framework of the reforms of the Armenian Armed Forces, including military education, combat training and other directions.

The sides exchanged thoughts on issues related to regional security and stability.