ESCS Deputy Minister Krystyna Tatarian, received today a delegation led by Olivier Araujo, Vice-President of Lyon Metropolis in France, responsible for international relations and tourism. The delegation is visiting Armenia to attend the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17). Svetlana Sahakyan, Head of the ESCS Ministry’s Department for Contemporary Art and Publishing, also attended the meeting.

Welcoming the guests, Krystyna Tatarian emphasized the importance of strengthening friendly relations between Armenia and France, advancing cultural cooperation, and promoting the values of the Francophonie.

Referring to preparations for the Francophonie Games, the Deputy Minister stressed that hosting the event is both a great honour and a significant responsibility for Armenia. She highlighted the importance of cooperation with international partners to ensure the successful organization of the Games, noting that delegations from more than 35 countries had expressed their intention to participate.

Krystyna Tatarian also outlined initiatives aimed at promoting French-language learning in Armenia. She noted that French courses were already being organized with the involvement of Francophone volunteers. These efforts will help ensure the effective organization and delivery of services during the Games while further promoting the French language in Armenia.

Thanking the Armenian side for its warm welcome and hospitality, Olivier Araujo said he was impressed by Armenia, its rich cultural heritage, and the hospitality of its people. He praised the friendly ties established with Armenia and emphasized the Lyon Metropolis’s interest in strengthening cooperation in education, culture, and sports, as well as launching new joint initiatives.