Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is in France on a working visit, is taking part in the Second Paris Peace Forum, attended by several heads of state and government.

President of France Emmanuel Macron, Vice President of China Wang Qishan, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Félix Tshisekedi and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen delivered opening remarks at the Forum.

The Prime Minister of Armenia handed a symbolic gift to the Paris Peace Forum Library, a book by Hayk Demoyan, entitled “Le Sport,” which tells the story of Armenian sport in the Ottoman Empire.

Introducing the book, the Premier said it is about Armenian sporting clubs and achievements in the Ottoman Empire before the 1915 Genocide. The book features wonderful photos of Armenian athletes - men and women - who used to play sport, as well as advertisements which encouraged women to make exercises and indulge sport. And it happened more than 100 years ago in the Ottoman Empire – society absolutely intolerant to the women’s social and physical activity. Sporting clubs were established among Armenians against all odds and were contributing to the peace and peaceful coexistence between the Christian and the ruling Muslim Communities.

Later on the Prime Minister visited the pavilion of the IDeA Foundation on the sidelines of the Forum where he got acquainted with the exhibits, the Foundation’s activities, including materials about the Aurora Humanitarian Prize. Aurora Prize Laureate, Dr. Tom Catena was in attendance.