Speaking at a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the French Embassy’s establishment in Armenia, French Ambassador Olivier Decottignies emphasized that “France has always stood with Armenia — in good times and in difficult moments.”
He noted that France was one of the first countries to recognize Armenia’s independence and among the earliest to open an embassy in Yerevan.
“On November 7, 1995, we raised our flag here for the first time. It was a difficult era, what Armenians call the ‘dark and cold years.’ Armenia still bore the scars of the 1988 earthquake, and people in Yerevan were cutting trees in parks and pulling up flooring for firewood. Since then, Armenia has come a long way,” Decottignies said.
He praised Yerevan’s transformation into a dynamic and innovative capital and highlighted Armenia’s choice to pursue democracy and a European orientation.
“Armenia has diversified its strategic partnerships and found the courage to seek peace, a courage no less than that of war. It has the potential to become a crossroads of the region once again. France has walked this path with Armenia. Our support, as President Macron said, is ‘unconditional, absolute, and unwavering.’ That is the compass guiding our work at the embassy,” he said.
Decottignies also highlighted embassy renovations aimed at improving conditions for staff, French citizens, and France’s image in Armenia. He thanked Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan for attending the event and recalled that, during his tenure as mayor of Yerevan — with President Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s consent — Khachaturyan granted the building to France for use as the embassy.
He paid tribute to architect Alain Daronian, who passed away in 2024, for transforming the building (formerly the home of a Sundukyan Theater actor) into the embassy. Daronian also introduced Armenia to renowned French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, who completed the Cascade complex in Yerevan.
The ambassador expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yerevan Municipality, partner institutions, and especially the embassy’s local Armenian staff: “Ambassadors come and go, that is the nature of diplomacy. But our Armenian colleagues remain. They are our strength and institutional memory.”
He also honored the memory of long-serving staff Khachatur Saripoghosyan and Hakob Ghazaryan.
“Some say certain buildings have a soul. That’s true for embassies too. They echo celebrations, quiet days, coffee-break talks, the joy of meetings, and the sadness of farewells. This is your home. You are all welcome here. Long live the Republic, long live France, long live Armenia, and long live French-Armenian friendship,” Decottignies concluded.
