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.

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.