France and Armenia
Political relations
The friendship between France and Armenia is rooted in history and symbolised and maintained notably by the presence in France of a sizeable community of Armenian origin. Over the 30 years of Armenian independence, bilateral relations have most notably included the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by France in 2001 and mediation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict while co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group, a role it has held since 1997.
French presence
For more information, visit the website of the Embassy: https://am.ambafrance.org/-La-France-et-l-Armenie-
Consulate: Yerevan
French community: 551 people registered (2021)
Armenian community in France: 14,000 Armenian nationals, 500,000 French nationals of Armenian descent
Visits
Presidential visits
• 1 June 2021: working visit to France by the Armenian interim Prime Minister
• 22 October 2020: working visit to France by the Armenian President
• 11-12 November 2019: visit to France by the Armenian Prime Minister
• 10-12 October 2018: official visit to Armenia by the President of the French Republic for the 27th Francophonie Summit
• 14 September 2018: visit to France by the Armenian Prime Minister
• 23 January 2018: working visit to France by the Armenian President
• 8 March 2017: official visit of the Armenian President to France
• 24 April 2015: official visit of the President of the French Republic to Yerevan for the centenary commemorations of the Armenian Genocide
• 12-13 May 2014: state visit by the President of the Republic of Armenia
Ministerial visits
• 9 December 2021: visit by an Armenian delegation led by the Foreign Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan A roadmap for bilateral economic cooperation was signed with the French Minister Delegate for Tourism, French Nationals Abroad and Francophonie, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, attached to the Minister of the Economy, Finance and the Recovery
• 9-12 November 2021: working visit to France by the Armenian Foreign Minister
• 27-28 January 2021: visit to Yerevan by the Minister of State for Tourism, French Nationals Abroad and Francophonie, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs
• 8 December 2020: working visit to Paris by the Armenian Foreign Minister
• 27-28 November 2020: visit to Yerevan by the Minister of State for Tourism, French Nationals Abroad and Francophonie, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, as part of the French humanitarian operation
• 16 April 2019: working visits by the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs to Paris
• 16 January 2019: working visit to Paris by the Armenian Foreign Minister for consultations hosted by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs
• 29-31 March 2018: working visit to Yerevan by the Minister of State attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs
• 22 December 2017: working visit to Paris by the Armenian Foreign Minister
• 11 May, 31 August and 27 October 2016: working visits to Paris by the Armenian Foreign Minister
Economic relations
Trade between France and Armenia fell 18% between 2019 and 2020 to €55 million (€48 million of French exports and €7 million of imports). That drop was ultimately quite limited in the light of the COVID-19 crisis that hit Armenia hard, and the conflict in autumn 2020. France’s trade surplus continues to stand at €41 million.
Imports of Armenian products are limited. After reaching €12 million in 2018, they fell to €10 million in May 2021 over 12 months, but were well up on the previous period (€7 million of goods imported in 2020). Clothing, steel and non-ferrous metals alone represent 68% of imports. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has had no significant effects on imports from Armenia.
After Russia, France has been the second-largest foreign investor in Armenia since 2016, with stock of about €229 million in 2019 (up €58 in one year). Our investments are mainly focused on the areas of agrifood (Pernod Ricard), water (Veolia) and banking (Crédit Agricole). France’s companies are particularly active in the water sector, with Veolia managing the water systems in the capital and much of the country.
Cultural, scientific and technical cooperation
Since 4 November 1995, France and Armenia have been linked by an intergovernmental agreement on cultural, scientific and technical cooperation. The flagship of the two countries’ bilateral cooperation is the French University in Armenia (UFAR), which takes in over 1,000 students each year for courses in law, business and management that lead to a French and Armenian dual degree, in partnership with Lyon III University.
For more information, visit the website of the Embassy: https://am.ambafrance.org/-Cooperation-culturelle-
Other cooperation
There is extensive decentralized cooperation. Around twenty French local governments are involved in twinning schemes and cooperation projects with Armenia, in a wide range of fields (tourism, healthcare, etc.).
Updated: 8 March 2022