MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +3741. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +3741. .562543
Email: press@mfa.am:

PRESS RELEASE

02 October 2004

Minister Oskanian Receives Mayor of Grenoble Michel Destot

On 2 October, Minister Oskanian received a delegation of France’s Isere
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 Isere 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.