Politics
Azerbaijan's unjustified and unprovoked aggression led to the occupation of some of Armenia's territories. Nikol Pashinyan (photos)
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is participating in the 18th summit of the International Organization of Francophonie in Djerba, the Republic of Tunisia. Armenia chaired the organization for the last four years.
At the beginning of the event, the countries' leaders, including Prime Minister Pashinyan, were welcomed by the President of Tunisia, Kais Said, and the Secretary General of the International Organization of Francophonie, Louise Mushikivabo. French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and leaders of dozens of other member states of the organization are participating in the summit.
Then there was a video recording ceremony of the summit participants, after which the meeting started.
In his speech, Prime Minister Pashinyan noted.
"Your Excellency, Honorable President Kais Said,
Dear colleagues, heads of state, and governments,
Ladies and gentlemen, heads of delegations,
Madam Secretary General of Francophonie,
Ladies and gentlemen,
First, I would like to express my satisfaction to be here in Djerba, Tunisia, in such an intimate and valued francophone environment.
I thank President Said and the people of Tunisia for organizing such an important meeting and showing warm hospitality.
By holding this Francophonie summit for the first time in Tunisia, we pay our respects to one of the founders of Francophonie, President Habib Bourguiba.
Your Excellencies, dear colleagues,
Madam Secretary General of Francophonie,
Four years have passed since the last La Francophonie summit held in Yerevan, an exceptionally long period of the current presidency, which, however, the Republic of Armenia has fulfilled with honor, unconditionally implementing all the commitments undertaken.
Thank the General Secretary of La Francophonie, dear Louise Mushikiwabo, for managing our organization efficiently during this process and establishing quality relationships. I am glad that we were able to work together in complete harmony.
I would also like to applaud his efforts to help shape the new image of La Francophonie and make the FMC a firm, forward-looking organization with ambitions commensurate with the world's challenges.
The world has undergone a great upheaval in recent years. The terrible covid-19 epidemic, the climate emergency, the resumption of wars, and their consequences on global food and energy supplies have left their deep mark on forming a new international environment.
At the same time, the listed challenges reveal the exactness and relevance of the approaches and values underpinning our responses.
In the face of pandemics and urgent climate challenges, we must continue promoting enhanced cooperation between countries, emphasizing solidarity. The latter should assume that the proposed programs and initiatives can benefit the most vulnerable countries and the vulnerable population.
Faced with the activation of hate speech and intolerance, today we are also convinced of the relevance of the slogan of the Yerevan Summit, "Living together," and the need to promote respect for human rights, equality, and cultural diversity.
Finally, facing the multiplication of crises and conflicts, we welcome the Francophonie's commitment to multilateralism, which guarantees the existence of an international system based on law and respect for the sovereignty of states.
Recently, unfortunately, we have to record that the fundamental principles of the UN Charter have been violated, in particular, the focus of not using force against the territorial integrity of any country, on which the collective security of all of us is based, thus gradually imposing the strongest the law.
The aggression carried out by Azerbaijan, of which the Republic of Armenia became a victim on September 13-14, is a vivid manifestation of this reality.
Azerbaijan's unjustified and unprovoked aggression has led to the occupation of a part of the territories of Armenia, causing death and suffering to the civilian population and causing significant destruction.
The confirmed ceasefire, however, has not yet ended this country's ambitions for other territories of Armenia.
Faced with new threats, we expect the international community to make a fair assessment of our country today, condemning the occupation of some parts of the Armenian territory and demanding the return of Azerbaijani forces to their previous positions.
Armenia, for its part, is firmly committed to contributing to the process of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, as well as ensuring the rights and security of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Your Excellencies, dear colleagues,
Madam Secretary General of Francophonie,
Armenia, as the current Chair of the Francophonie Summit, has consistently continued its activities within the Francophone call to live together in Yerevan, initiating the resolution on living together during the covid-19 pandemic adopted in November 2020 by the Francophonie Ministerial Conference.
Our country has closely followed the activities of La Francophonie in the digital and economic domains and the significant progress achieved under the leadership of the Secretary-General. We expressed our gratitude to FMC for its efforts to develop economic cooperation between different regions of the French-speaking world.
Courtenay also emphasized the importance of the declaration on the French language, which will become an essential document on the French language, recording the latter's role in uniting all Francophone countries.
Finally, Armenia has accompanied and supported the Secretary-General in implementing these reforms. It is welcome that our organization is now working towards the performance of a road map based on the main priorities of Francophonie, implemented in a reaffirmed and new strategic framework.
Armenia is convinced that this declared universal aspiration will ensure the recognition of Francophonie at the international level, as well as the spread of its values and ideas, to which my country continues to be deeply committed.
Your Excellencies, dear colleagues,
Madam Secretary General of Francophonie,
Concluding my speech, I want to thank the Secretary-General for his willingness and involvement.
Now it remains for me to hand over to you, Mr. President, the presidency of the Francophonie Summit, wishing you every success.
Thanks for your attention".
After the speech, the presidency of the International Organization of Francophonie was transferred from Armenia to Tunisia, with a symbolic handshake ceremony between the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Tunisia.
