French ambassador says France has always stood by Armenia in good times and bad

French Ambassador to Armenia Olivier Decottignies spoke at an event marking the 30th anniversary of the French Embassy in Armenia.

According to Armenpress, Decottignies noted that France was among the first countries to recognize Armenia’s independence and one of the first to open an embassy in the Armenian capital, Yerevan.

“Thirty years ago, on Nov. 7, 1995, we raised our flag for the first time on this building. One must imagine what that period was like, which Armenians remember as the ‘dark and cold years.’ Armenia was still bearing the scars of the devastating 1988 earthquake. It was facing war; in Yerevan, people cut trees in parks and boulevards and tore up wooden flooring to keep warm. Since then, Armenia has come a long way,” the ambassador said.

He added that Yerevan has become a thriving, innovative, and dynamic capital, and that the Armenian people have chosen democracy and are now looking toward Europe.

“Armenia has diversified its strategic partnerships. It has found the courage to make peace, which is no less than the courage to fight. It has a calling — to once again become a crossroads of the region. We have traveled this path together, French and Armenian people. For thirty years, France has always stood by Armenia — in good times and bad. Our support for Armenia, as the president of the French Republic has said, is ‘unreserved, absolute, and unwavering.’ These are his words, and they serve as our guide,” the ambassador said.