Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today met with President of the Swiss Confederation Alain Berset, President of the Republic of Estonia Mrs. Kersti Kaljulaid, the Premier-elect of Quebec François Legault, and Deputy Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh on the sidelines of the 17th Summit of La Francophonie. The Prime Minister welcomed the guests to Armenia and their participation in the 17th Francophone Summit.

The Presidents of Switzerland and Estonia, the Premier-elect of Quebec and the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam complimented Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for hosting this important event and underscored that they were impressed by the high-level organization of the Summit and its proceedings.

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RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Swiss President Alain Berset discussed various issues of bilateral cooperation. They specifically highlighted the furtherance of economic exchanges, inclusive of joint investment programs.

Noting that that the economic cooperation with Switzerland is chiefly focused on mining industry, Nikol Pashinyan said the Armenian government keen to diversify the scope of interaction.

The Premier highlighted the exchange of experience with the Swiss side in organizing community referendums.

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid discussed cooperation development prospects. The Prime Minister of Armenia made a point of promoting contacts and exchanging know-how in the field of information technologies.

Nikol Pashinyan said that the Armenian government is introducing digital technologies and electronic systems in the system of public administration, and Estonia’s experience could be helpful in this regard.

Kersti Kaljulaid assured of Estonia’s interest in building closer ties with Armenia in all areas of mutual interest, including the IT sector. She said her country ready to work actively to that effect.

The parties exchanged views on Armenia-European Union cooperation, as well as issues of democracy development.

With reference to the changes taking place in our country, Prime Minister Pashinyan noted that democracy is not a foreign policy orientation for Armenia; it is an internal political orientation, and the ongoing radical reforms seek a new level of democracy in a bid to become an exemplary country in that area.

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discussed issues related to the deepening of bilateral economic cooperation during a meeting held with Quebec’s elected Prime Minister François Legault.

Speaking about the opportunities for doing business in our country, the head of the Armenian government pointed out that the business environment is improving in Armenia and now offers better conditions for investment. Nikol Pashinyan assured of Armenia’s keen interest in attracting foreign investment. For his part, the Premier-elect of Quebec expressed interest in developing economic cooperation between the two countries. In this respect, Prime Minister Pashinyan highlighted the possibilities for cooperating in agriculture, wine and brandy making.

During the meeting, both sides stressed the need for building closer humanitarian ties. François Legault appreciated the active role and contribution of the Armenian community of Montreal in the social and political life of Quebec.

Prime Minister Pashinyan hailed Quebec’s steadfast and principled stance on the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide and the adoption of a number of resolutions to that effect.

The interlocutors took the opportunity to exchange views on regional security issues.

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Deputy Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh discussed a number of issues related to the development of Armenian-Vietnamese relations.

The sides pointed to the need for boosting economic cooperation, and expressed conviction that there is great untapped potential in that area. They noted that the implementation of consistent steps in the fields of agriculture, light industry, mechanical engineering and information technologies will go a long way toward increasing trade turnover between the two countries. The parties agreed that cooperation in healthcare, including the implementation of joint educational exchange programs, would be quite promising.

The Armenian Premier and the Vice Prime Minister of Vietnam emphasized the importance of developing diplomatic relations and organizing high-level visits.