On 2 October, Minister Oskanian received a delegation of France’s Isère canton and Grenoble city headed by Grenoble’s Mayor Michel Destot. The delegation visited Armenia in the framework of developing Armenia-France bilateral relations at a local level.

During the meeting, the parties expressed their appreciation for Armenia-France relations aimed at development of South Caucasus countries and European integration. In this context, they also addressed the priority of development of cooperation at the local level. The parties also exchanged ideas on formulation of specific cooperation programmes in areas of education, healthcare and tourism development. The Mayor of Grenoble informed the Minister that on October 3, a cooperation agreement will be signed between France’s Grenoble and Armenia’s Gegharkunik region.

Grenoble maintains traditional ties with Armenians; this center of Armenian community of Isère canton hosts several Armenian organizations. Michel Destot, who is also a member of France’s National Assembly, informed the Minister that several years ago, a monument symbolizing Armenian-French friendship and commemoration of 1.5 million victims of 1915 Genocide was installed at a square adjacent to the municipality of Grenoble.