On October 3, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan began a working visit to France, which will extend until October 5. On the first day, he met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace to discuss various topics on the multi-sector agenda between Armenia and France. Pashinyan acknowledged France’s ongoing support and expressed Armenia’s commitment to further develop bilateral relations across all areas of shared interest.

President Macron reaffirmed France’s unwavering support for Armenia and emphasized his dedication to deepening cooperation. During the talks, Pashinyan noted that 80 percent of the points in the draft peace treaty with Azerbaijan had been agreed upon and that Armenia was ready to sign and continue discussions. He underscored the importance of peace and stability in the region and expressed optimism that the agreement could help resolve ongoing issues.

The two leaders also discussed Armenia's "Crossroads of Peace" project, aimed at unblocking regional communication channels based on principles of sovereignty, jurisdiction, reciprocity, and equality. Macron supported Armenia's peace initiatives and welcomed the project's potential to foster stability.

Additionally, discussions focused on the social challenges faced by individuals forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia's housing provision program. Both leaders emphasized the need for continued international support in addressing these issues. Armenia-EU cooperation was also on the agenda, with Pashinyan expressing his appreciation for France's role in initiating the EU's visa liberalization dialogue with Armenia and its support through the European Peace Facility.

Later in the day, Pashinyan met with newly appointed French Prime Minister Michel Barnier at the Hôtel Matignon in Paris. Barnier reaffirmed his commitment to advancing trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, expressing a personal connection to Armenia dating back to his role in opening the French Embassy in Yerevan in 1995.

Pashinyan congratulated Barnier on his appointment and highlighted the intensive dialogue between their nations. They agreed on the importance of cooperation in sectors such as economy, energy, digital technologies, agriculture, and tourism. Pashinyan also stressed the need for French investment in infrastructure, energy, and agriculture in Armenia.

The visit also included a tour of the newly acquired building for the Armenian Embassy in Paris. Previously owned by Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, the historic property was purchased for 23 million euros to support the growing needs of the embassy and Armenia's expanding diplomatic presence in France.