Armenia and France agreed to deepen cooperation in emergency response and disaster risk management following high-level talks in Yerevan that concluded with the signing of a new memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening collaboration between the two countries’ rescue services.

The agreement was signed by Aram Ghazaryan, who also heads Armenia’s Rescue Service, and Bernard Jannin, president of the French civil protection organization ASPEBE.

During the meeting, which was also attended by French Ambassador Olivier Decottignies, Ghazaryan praised what he described as the strong and effective partnership between Armenia and France in the field of emergency response and disaster preparedness.

Highlighting ongoing reforms within Armenia’s rescue sector, Ghazaryan said French expertise in civil protection could play an important role in strengthening Armenia’s emergency management capabilities.

The Armenian side pointed to several joint initiatives implemented in recent years, including the “Disaster Management” training course, the “HOPE-2023” field exercise, and crisis-response training programs conducted after the devastating floods that hit Armenia in 2024.

Officials also highlighted cooperation under the “VOLFIRE” program, through which 79 volunteer firefighters in Armenia received specialized training from French instructors.

French Ambassador Olivier Decottignies recalled that cooperation between the two countries in emergency response dates back to the aftermath of the devastating Spitak earthquake, when around 500 French rescuers traveled to Armenia to participate in search-and-rescue operations.

“Since then, this cooperation has evolved into a stable and effective partnership,” the ambassador noted.

According to Armenian officials, the newly signed memorandum envisages expanded cooperation in emergency prevention, disaster response, and broader disaster risk management, further institutionalizing collaboration between Armenian and French rescue services amid growing regional and climate-related challenges.