Sarkissian hails La Francophonie Economic Forum in Yerevan as ‘historic event’

President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian says holding the La Francophonie Economic Forum in Armenia is “a historic event’.

“Seeing this forum in Armenia is a great honor. This event is very important. Leaders of francophone countries have come to Armenia, a country which too is a La Francophonie member. This is an historic event for us. We are opening the first La Francophonie Economic Forum in Yerevan, but I hope it won’t be the last. I hope that many future forums and events of La Francophonie will be held in Yerevan,” the president said.

The Armenian president also noted that the International Organization of La Francophonie is also connecting Europe with Africa. “I believe this is the most important connection, from north to south, to help discovering new ideas, new generation in Africa,” he said.

Sarkissian thanked La Francophonie Secretary General Michaelle Jean not only for holding the summit in Armenia, but also the huge volume of implemented work.

The La Francophonie Economic Forum kicked off at Yerevan’s TUMO Center For Creative Technologies.

The forum is organized under the high patronage of President Armen Sarkissian.

Back at the 2014 summit of La Francophonie in Senegal, participants agreed to deepen the economic direction of the organization – adopting the first economic strategy of La Francophonie.

Yerevan is hosting the XVII International Organisation of La Francophonie summit in 2018.

The events will take place October 7-12, with the summit scheduled for the final two days.

Armenia is a member of the organization since 2008.