History
Diplomatic relations between Armenia and France were established on 24 February 1992. On 2 October 2009, Vigen Chitechian was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to France. [4] On 5 November 2010, Henri Reynaud, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Armenia, presented his credentials to the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan. Also on 1 December 2011 Vardan Sirmakes was appointed Consul General of Armenia in Marseille. [5]
On 7 January 2015, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Eduard Nalbandyan issued a press release on the Charlie Hebdo shooting, saying, "We strongly condemn terrorist act committed at the office of 'Charlie Hebdo' magazine in Paris" and added that "such appalling actions of extremists has no justification whatsoever and once again prove the necessity of wider solidarity in the international community's fight against terrorism." The Armenian Government also expressed their "condolences and support to the people, authorities of friendly France, editorial staff of 'Charlie Hebdo' magazine, and the relatives of the victims." [6]
Though it has a very small French-speaking population, as a result of its historical ties to France, Armenia was selected to host the biennial Francophonie summit in 2018. [7] French is taught at the Fondation Université Française en Arménie in Yerevan.
In October 2023, France begun selling military equipment, most notably air-defence systems, to Armenia, amidst rising fears of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan after the Azerbaijani offensive and subsequent flight of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. [8]
Since its independence, Armenia has maintained a policy of trying to have positive and friendly relations with Iran, Russia, and the West, including the United States and the European Union. It has full membership status in a number of international organizations, such as the Council of Europe and the Eurasian Economic Union, and observer status, etc. in some others. However, the dispute over the Armenian genocide of 1915 and the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have created tense relations with two of its immediate neighbors, Azerbaijan and Turkey.
A bilateral relationship exists between Armenia and Israel. From 1993 to 2007, Armenia was served by the Embassy of Israel in Georgia. In 1996, Tsolak Momjian was appointed the honorary consul of Armenia in Jerusalem. Eleven years later, the residence of the Embassy of Israel in Armenia was moved to Jerusalem. In October 2010, Shmuel Meirom was appointed the Israeli ambassador to Armenia. Armen Melkonian was appointed the Armenian ambassador to Israel in 2012, with a residence in Cairo. In October of that year, Melkonian presented his credentials to Israeli President Shimon Peres. On 21 September 2019 Armenia announced that it would be opening an embassy in Israel. Despite generally cordial ties between the two, relations soured after Armenia withdrew its ambassador to Israel due to Israeli arms supply to Armenia's enemy, Azerbaijan, in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Armenia–Poland relations are bilateral relations between Armenia and Poland. Both nations enjoy historically friendly relations, owing to their centuries-long cultural exchange and trade. Both countries are full members of the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization and the United Nations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia (MFA) is a state body of executive power, which elaborates and implements the foreign policy of the Government of Armenia and organizes and manages diplomatic services. The MFA acts accordingly to the Constitution and legislation of Armenia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinates the activities of the executive power bodies of the Republic in the international arena. Since 2021, Ararat Mirzoyan has been the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.
Diplomatic relations between France and Switzerland have traditionally been close, through important economic and cultural exchanges. Switzerland and France, share about 600 km of border and a language.
French-Hungarian relations are foreign relations between France and Hungary. The first diplomatic contacts date back to the Middle Ages. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the European Union, NATO and United Nations. Since 2004, Hungary is an observer in La Francophonie.
Bilateral relations exist between Armenia and Serbia. Diplomatic relations between Armenia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were established on 14 January 1993; Serbia is the legal successor to this country. Both countries are represented through their embassies in Athens, Greece, and both have established honorary consulates, which serve as the only diplomatic representatives between the two countries.
Armenia–Hungary relations refer to bilateral relations between Armenia and Hungary. Armenia is represented in Hungary through its embassy in Vienna, Austria, and an honorary consulate in Budapest, Hungary. Hungary is represented in Armenia through its embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia, and an honorary consulate in Yerevan, Armenia.
French–Turkish relations cover a long period from the 16th century to the present, starting with the alliance established between Francis I and Suleiman the Magnificent. Relations remained essentially friendly during a period of nearly three centuries, with the resumption of intense contacts from the reign of Louis XIV. Relations became more complex with the French campaign in Egypt and Syria by Napoleon I in 1798, and the dawn of the modern era. Both countries are members of the Council of Europe and NATO. France opposes Turkey's European Union membership.
Diplomatic relations exist between Armenia and Canada. Both nations are members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie and the United Nations.
Armenian–Syrian relations are foreign relations between Armenia and Syria. Armenia has an embassy in Damascus and a consulate general in Aleppo. In 1997, Syria opened an embassy in Yerevan. Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa visited Armenia in March 1992.
Zohrab Hrachiki Mnatsakanyan is an Armenian diplomat. Mnatsakanyan previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Armenia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Foreign relations have reportedly always been strong between Armenia and Cyprus. Cyprus has been a supporter of Armenia in its struggle for the recognition of the Armenian genocide, economic stability and the resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In return Armenia has been advocating a stable Cyprus after the Turkish invasion in 1974 and supporting a lasting solution to the Cyprus dispute.
France and Senegal are both full members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, and the United Nations.
Relations between Armenia and Brazil, have existed for decades. The Armenian community in Brazil is the second largest in Latin America totaling approximately 100,000 members.
Armenia–Spain relations are the bilateral relations between Armenia and Spain. The importance of relations centers on the history of Armenians migration to Spain. Approximately 40,000 Armenians and their descendants reside in Spain. Both nations are members of the Council of Europe.
Diplomatic relations exist between Armenia and Chile. There are over 600 Armenians and descendants residing in Chile today. Both nations are members of the United Nations.
Armenia–United Arab Emirates relations are the diplomatic relations between Armenia and the United Arab Emirates. Official relations exist between both nations since 1998. Armenia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates has embassy in Yerevan.
Bilateral relations exist between Italy and Armenia. Italy has an embassy in Yerevan and Armenia has an embassy in Rome. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.
