The RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, Zhanna Andreasyan, met with the Director of the International Francophonie Games Committee, Zeina Mina, to discuss possibly holding the 2027 Francophonie Games in RA.
Artur Martirosyan and Karen Giloyan, deputy ministers of KGSMS, were also present at the meeting.
Welcoming Zeina Mina, director of the International Francophonie Games Committee, Minister Zhanna Andreasyan thanked her for a visit, emphasizing that she values cooperation with the International Organization of Francophonie (OIF).
"Armenia has been very active since the first day of its membership in the FMC, including hosting and organizing major events. In recent years, Armenia has accumulated considerable experience hosting major international sports events in our country. Last year, Yerevan hosted the European Boxing Championship; this spring, the European Weightlifting Championship will be held in the capital of Armenia. In the fall, the Adult Sambo World Championship will be held. The experience accumulated in these years and the active involvement of Armenia in the activities of all FMC structures allow Armenia to consider the possibility of hosting the 10th Jubilee Games of the Francophonie to be held in Yerevan in 2027 and to submit a corresponding bid," the minister of the CIS said.
Zhanna Andreasyan also informed Zeina Mina that in 2018 the FMC 17th Summit was held in Armenia, hosting the leaders and representatives of the governments of 75 states.
"Our country is aware of the full scope and huge responsibility of the Francophonie Games. Your advice, observations, and evaluations will be beneficial for us in speeding up the organizational work and making a final decision," added KGSMS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan.
Zeina Mina, the director of the International Committee of the Francophonie Games, thanked her for the warm welcome and readiness and pointed out that she was impressed by Armenia's sports and cultural infrastructure.
"The International Francophonie Games include many sports and have a national and international jury and committee. It's more like the Olympics. It is important for the host country to create an intergovernmental steering committee under the minister's leadership, which will deal with preparatory, organizational, technical, and coordination issues of the Games," informed the Director of the International Committee of the Francophonie Games.
The parties also discussed several issues related to the protocol of the games, broadcasting, and the spread of French in Armenia.
Minister of CSMS Zhanna Andreasyan thanked for the constructive meeting and noted that Armenia has a lot of experience in organizing similar games. "Armenia properly organizes the All-Armenian Games annually, hosting over 6,000 participants from 132 countries. This year, the 8th All-Armenian Summer Games will be held in August with 17 sports."
