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On the sidelines of his working visit to France, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has awarded French football legend of Armenian descent Youri Djorkaeff with a Medal of Gratitude on the upcoming Independence Day of Armenia to be marked on 21 September.

The footballer said it was a great honor for him to get such an award, adding he would wear it with pride and honor, the PM's official website reported. 

“I am proud to be a representative of Armenia,” Djorkaeff said. 

Earlier, the PM dined with with the representatives of the Armenian community in France, involving MPs, politicians, public figures, businessmen, artists, particularly Mayor of Lyon Georges Kepenekian, Deputy Mayor of the 9th district of Paris Alexy Govchian, ex-member of the French government Patrick Devedjian, co-chairs of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France Ara Toranyan and Murad Papazyan, businessmen Daniel Kourkchyan, Serge Churuk, Vardan Srmakesh , Armen Petrosyan, Alain Mikli, President of the Union of Filmmakers Alain Terzian, Yuri Jorkaeff and others.

In his speech, Pashinyan noted that the presence of prominent French-Armenians symbolized the opportunities available today in Armenia.

“What happened in Armenia is quite easy to understand. The citizens of Armenia and the Armenian people regained their trust and self-confidence. This is the key change that has taken place. No matter who is government and who is opposition – people are the only source of power in the Republic of Armenia and there is no exaggeration in it,” he said.   

The PM added, "seeing those present, I want to believe that our state will take its share of leadership instead of skidding in the backdrop of modern politics.”

“The Armenian nation has that very potential, and as the representative of the people which was the first to adopt Christianity as a atate religion, I believe in the idea that we have far more serious and greater potential.We must unite our forces just because the velvet revolution took place not only with the participation of Armenian citizens, but also with that of Diaspora Armenians.

"What do I mean by participation? Namely, that your clear-cut position and positive stance were the most powerful factor that could change the political situation in Armenia. It is important for me reach out the spiritual, cultural and political content of what happened, which, as it turned out, should bring us together.

"I do believe that the Armenian people have shouldered a new role, and that new role is first of all to create a free and happy homeland. I can guarantee that today all people are equal before the law in Armenia. Being or having more and less in the country is the cornerstone on which our new reality is to be built. I would like to thank you for your position and reception,” he said.