In a ceremony rich with symbolism and expressions of enduring friendship, the Honorary Consulate of France was officially inaugurated in Goris on June 2. The ribbon-cutting was attended by Syunik Governor Robert Ghukasyan, Goris Mayor Arush Arushanyan, French Ambassador to Armenia Olivier Decottignies, and Carmen Apunts, the newly appointed Honorary Consul of France in Goris.
Also present were Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan, and Armenian Ambassador to France Arman Khachatryan.
Governor Ghukasyan hailed Goris as “the most Francophone town” in Armenia, highlighting its numerous cooperation agreements with French cities and regions. He credited this cultural and institutional engagement with deepening Syunik–France ties.
Ambassador Decottignies emphasized France’s close connection to Goris, calling it “very special” to the French people. “For the French, Goris is the crossroads of Syunik. It is the town in Armenia with the strongest ties to France,” he stated, citing sister city agreements and interregional cooperation with Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
Concluding his remarks, Decottignies declared: “Long live Syunik, long live Goris, and long live Armenian–French friendship.”
Carmen Apunts, also head of the Francophone Center in Goris, now serves as Honorary Consul, further cementing the town’s cultural role.

France Reaffirms Support for Armenia’s Decentralized Cooperation Model
French Ambassador to Armenia Olivier Decottignies underscored the strategic and symbolic importance of Goris during his remarks at the Armenia-France Forum on Decentralized Cooperation held on June 2. Speaking to an audience of Armenian and French officials, the ambassador described Goris as being “at the heart of Armenia’s geopolitics,” emphasizing its critical role in recent regional developments.
“Your presence here in Goris at this pivotal moment proves its strategic importance,” Decottignies stated. “It is a town located at the heart of Armenia’s geopolitics. Goris was the first to host the displaced population of Nagorno-Karabakh. This town is building peace in the region, having always been at a crossroads, with its activities consistently aimed at fostering peace.”
The ambassador asserted that Goris would once again become a “crossroads,” highlighting its continued regional significance. He also stressed the growing value of decentralized cooperation between France and Armenia.
Decottignies reminded attendees that such cooperation predates Armenia’s independence, referencing the 1968 sister city agreement between Bagneux and Vanadzor as a foundation for long-term collaboration.

Syunik Governor Unveils $1 Billion in Projects at Armenia–France Forum
At the 5th Armenia-France Decentralized Cooperation Forum held on June 2 in Goris, Syunik Province Governor Robert Ghukasyan underscored the scale of development projects underway in the region, totaling an unprecedented $1 billion in investments. He praised France’s vital support in implementing key infrastructure and healthcare projects while emphasizing Armenia’s significant contributions.
“With the support of the French side, numerous projects have been carried out in Syunik: irrigation and drinking water pipelines have been constructed, and substantial investments have been made in the healthcare sector,” Ghukasyan said.
He acknowledged that while the French government continues to fund projects in Armenia, Armenia itself is implementing a record volume of infrastructure initiatives through various channels. “In Syunik Province alone, $1 billion worth of work is underway. This is highly significant,” he noted.
He also praised the scale of current construction. “So many schools are being built in Syunik that even during Soviet times, we didn’t see this level of investment,” he added, highlighting extensive roadwork.
However, Ghukasyan cautioned against relying solely on foreign aid. “We must not forget the most important thing: our communities also have budgets and implement numerous programs,” he stated. He called for joint funding approaches and local initiatives to ensure the success of regional development projects.