Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with representatives of the Armenian community and answered their questions at the Gabriel Hall in Paris.

“To be frank, as I looked at you, I was thinking about what words I would use to start with: say, dear compatriots, dear French-Armenians, but I decided to address you as follows: Dear people, Proud citizens of the Republic of Armenia, because I think that this is justified by the political change that has taken place in the Republic of Armenia. This is the most serious change that has taken place in the life of the Armenian people. Ever since Armenia’s independence, a debate has been on about Armenia-Diaspora relations: who are the ones living in Armenia and those living outside Armenia?

This debate has been on for many years now: different views have been voiced, and after all these long regressions we have reached a point where the prime minister can address his compatriots everywhere in the world as dear people, proud citizens of the Republic of Armenia, because citizenship is not a passport, not even a residence, not even a registration address or location. Citizenship is consciousness and feeling, and the non-violent velvet revolution in Armenia united all Armenians around the union and civil consciousness, we realized that we are all citizens of Armenia, whether we live in Armenia or not, whether we are born in Armenia or not No, no matter whether we will ever return to Armenia or not because Armenia is the common identity of all of us - Armenia is our birthplace and all of us are the homeland, the homeland of all of us, the dream of all of us, all of us and our victory. This is a victory that we have built together that we should cherish and enjoy together,” Pashinyan said, noting that he could see that the audience really enjoyed the victory.

The great meaning of this is the following: “We used to be a desperate people that did not believe in their future; now we trust in our future, and we will definitely triumph. There is a time to dream and fulfill your dreams. I think that just a few months ago, we were still dreaming, while now we have to materialize our long-cherished dreams.

We have ushered in the time for our nation to realize its dreams, so the time has come for our nation to materialize what we have dreamed of for millennia. The millennium of fulfilling our dreams comes to replace the millennia of dreaming, we are no longer a nation that stands on the leg, straighten the back and walk toward dreams. In the case of the Republic of Artsakh, which is the homeland of all Armenians, the homeland of the Armenians living in the Republic of Artsakh, with citizenship and identity, has come to the dream of returning and has come to realize that dream. Long live the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Artsakh, we and our children will live and live in a free and happy Armenia.”

Then the attendees asked the Prime Minister about the results of the talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. In response, Nikol Pashinyan noted, “The most important record of today’s meeting is the following: we can say that the Republic of Armenia should assume a more serious and great international role in the near future. After the revolution, Armenia’s international reputation has grown, and we can have a more active role in international relations.”

The Head of Government advised that in addition to bilateral relations, different issues of international importance had been discussed with the President of France. Nikol Pashinyan added that the remaining issues will be discussed with his French counterpart when President Macron arrives in Armenia on a State visit. “I am confident that our contacts and relations with President Macron will be increasingly intense,” the Prime Minister said.

Touching upon preparations for the summit of the International Organization of La Francophonie, Nikol Pashinyan expressed confidence that Armenia will be able to organize it so that the organization will become stronger as a result of the summit, and the role of our country in the Francophone territory will be further emphasized.

The French Armenians also asked Nicol Pashinyan about the possibilities of the settlement of the Karabakh conflict and asked whether a meeting with the President of Azerbaijan is expected. The Prime Minister advised that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs have already brokered a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, but there is no agreement on a meeting at the level of Heads of State.

“President Macron wanted to see our understanding of the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, and also whether the issue could now be discussed more seriously. We exchanged views, and I told him that to my mind, the Azerbaijani leader is not that sincere when talking about the settlement of the conflict, as it is possible when there is a climate of regulation in the region.

Talking about a settlement is not realistic against the background of threats. If the mediators really want to push ahead with the settlement - and we are committed to a peaceful settlement - they should first of all call the President of Azerbaijan to order: he is mistaken if he thinks that threats can force us make concessions.

Today’s Armenia is a new Armenia that will appeal to Armenians worldwide the way I addressed you today, and around which all Armenians shall be united. In this case Azerbaijan’s aggressive stance will be counterbalanced by the courageous Armenian people,” Nikol Pashinian underscored.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister touched upon the strengthening of Armenia’s relations with the Diaspora and foreign countries, the internal political processes underway in Armenia, the ongoing reforms, the fight against corruption and the repatriation opportunities.

In connection with the latter, Nikol Pashinyan said: “This topic should always be debated in every Armenian family outside the homeland. No matter how many of them will come back if they come back very well; if their children or grandchildren do so, it is good, but what matters most is to realize that every Armenian should seek to return to Armenia sooner or later. The idea of repatriation must be part of our identity and our children’s upbringing, and the rest will come in due course. Repatriation must be a dream for us.”