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On May 10, the Head of the RA NA Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (OIF) Hovhannes Igityan, the members of the Delegation Arman Yeghoyan, Arusyak Julhakyan, Meri Galstyan, Sona Ghazaryan met with the members of the OIF Delegation that had arrived in Armenia.

Hovhannes Igityan highly assessed the initiative of the Delegation to visit Armenia, the border regions and even the readiness of leaving for Artsakh in such hard period.

“During this war, one of the main principles declared by Francophonie – the people’s right to peaceful, independent, comprehensive development and living was also violated. We are convinced that the OIF would continue its support in preservation of cultural heritage of Artsakh and the Armenian people. The Armenian side is also thankful to the OIF member countries that raised their voice in the issues of the captives’ return, the stability of the post-war situation and the establishment of peace,” Hovhannes Igityan has noted, informing that House-Museum of Francophonie functions in Artsakh. The Head of the Armenian Delegation is optimistic and hopeful that the people will overcome the post-war situation and will touch upon the other issues on cooperation in the framework of La Francophonie.

“We are with you with heart, with soul in these hardest conditions,” the Head of the Mission of OIF Europe Jean-Charles Luperto, informing that they also have met with the RA Human Rights Defender and received detailed, complete information on the existing situation.

The OIF adopted a number of resolutions on the crimes committed towards the historical-cultural values in different points of the world. Adoption of similar resolution is also designed on preserving the Armenian historical-cultural values in the occupied territories.

The deputy Sona Ghazaryan has noted that every time they touch upon with pain the facts on the social networks about the destruction of the historical-cultural monuments. She distinguished the issue of Shushi Saint Ghazanachetsots Church, underlining that during the war it had been twice bombed and now under the veil of repairing is completely transformed into a non-understandable structure.

The Chair of the Standing Committee on European Integration Arman Yeghoyan has raised the issue of keeping the Armenian captives as hostages, noting that it is a gross violation of international humanitarian law.

The sides also referred to the activities of the French University in Armenia, noting that the two states would find new ways for promoting the expansion and development of the University.

The members of the Delegation also spoke about the results of the last four-year cooperation, as well as the upcoming programmes.