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Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan attended today , on October 10, the opening session of the 31st Ministerial Conference of the International Organization of La Francophonie held in Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex. About 500 representatives from organization’s member countries and of the Secretariat General of the International Organization of La Francophonie have arrived in Armenia for the 31st session of the conference, according to the presidential press service.

President Sargsyan made a speech at the conference. He said the conference is a wonderful chance to once again honor the Francophone culture and sum up the solemn Francophone atmosphere prevailing in Armenia during the whole year.

Noting that Armenia has ages-¬old ties with many of the Francophone family countries., the Armenian president said that being a part of an organization representing 80 states and governments from five continents, including also separate entities, gives Armenia new opportunities to reinforce its historical ties and establish and deepen new ones.

“Presently, we live under conditions of new crises and threats that have emerged in the international arena, and can witness further widening of dividing lines. Hence, special importance have begun to acquire international and regional organizations which try to unite and not to divide. We must reinforce our institutions, raise their effectiveness and importance. In this respect, the International Organization of La Francophonie holds vital significance,” President Sargsyan said.
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“Unfortunately, there are also conflicts and crises that continue to pose a threat to the security of some regions of the Francophone space and endanger their sustainable development. It was no accident that the main subject of the conference proposed by Armenia is “The Peace, Tolerance, Dialogue and Mutual Understanding in the Francophone Space.” We believe that through tolerance, we can avoid many problems and on the contrary, intolerance can result in crises, conflicts and even in the commitment of genocide, the gravest crime against humanity. We know about it from our own experience.

Availing myself of this opportunity, I would like to stress the Francophone family’s solidarity and support for the Armenian people in the context of the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Centennial, which was expressed in the statement made by the organization’s Secretary ¬General. We strongly believe that such crimes are possible to prevent only through concerted efforts and taking lessons from the past, preserve and respect universal values, including those of the Francophonie. Our goal is to build a society grounded on the principles of tolerance, peaceful existence and democracy,” the Armenian president stated.