NKR DELEGATION’S VISIT TO FRANCE

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
2009-10-30 16:51

An NKR delegation, headed by NKR NA Chairman Ashot Ghulian,
departed October 25 for France on a five-day visit. The delegation
comprises Chairman of the NKR NA Standing Committee on Social Issues
Arpat Avanesian, NKR Minister of Culture and Social Issues Narine
Aghabalian, Stepanakert Mayor Vazgen Mikhayelian, and Chief of the
NKR MFA Multilateral Relations Department Irina Beglarian.

On arriving in the French capital, the delegation members attended
the same evening a concert of Artsakh’s Voices ensemble organized
in Ranlag Theater on the initiative of the NKR Mission to France and
under the support of Assistance to Artsakh organization.

During the party, NKR NA Chairman Ashot Ghulian handed Gratitude
decorations to Deputy Chairman of the Armenian Foundation in France
Michel Pazumian and the family of the passed away member of the same
organization, Emanuel de’la Bary, awarded by a corresponding decree
of the NKR President.

In the October 26 morning, the NKR delegation members met with the
employees of the Office of the Coordination Council of Armenian
organizations of France to discuss the prospects of cooperation
between Artsakh and the Armenian organizations of France, the recent
developments in the Karabakh conflict settlement process, and some
other issues of national significance.

The same evening, the delegation members had a separate meeting with
the Chairman and some responsible employees of Assistance to Artsakh
organization.

On October 27, Ashot Ghulian and Arpat Avanesian met with Chairman
of the French-Armenian Friendship Caucus of the French Senate Serge
Lagosh to discuss some regional issues related, in particular, to
the process of the Karabakh conflict settlement, the role of France
in this issue, and the recent developments in the Caucasus region.

RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France Vigen
Chitechian participated in the meeting.

Delegation members Narine Aghabalian and Vazgen Mikhayelian met,
in their turn, with mayors of some Armenian-populated towns near Paris.

The same day, at the RA Embassy to France and with the participation of
Ambassador Vigen Chitechian, the NKR delegation members had a meeting
with members of some Armenian organizations of France operating in
NKR. During the meeting, the delegation members introduced the problems
in the social, economic, urban development, and cultural spheres of
Artsakh. The attendants were also given separate packages of programs
to be implemented in the social and educational spheres, and were
asked to use utmost efforts for improving the Artsakh people’s welfare.

In the October 28 morning, the NKR delegation was received at the
National Assembly of France, where they met with Chairman of the
parliamentary French-Armenian Friendship Caucus Francua Roshbluan and
the Caucus members. After a thank you speech, Ashot Ghulian answered
the attendants’ questions related to the Karabakh conflict and the
NKR authorities’ position on its peaceful settlement.

The meeting was followed by an official lunch organized in the
ceremonial receptions’ hall of the French NA.

The same day, the NKR delegation departed for Marseilles.