Pashinyan to Armenian community in France: Our State will take its  share of leadership instead of skidding in the backdrop of modern  politics 

ArmInfo.Headed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a government delegation has arrived in the French Republic on a working visit. The Prime Minister left the  airport for Yerevan Park in Paris, where he laid a wreath at the  monument to Komitas, paying tribute to the victims of the Armenian  Genocide.

Later on, the Premier had dinner with the representatives  of the Armenian community in France, involving MPs, politicians,  public figures, businessmen, artists, particularly Mayor of Lyon  Georges Kepenekian, Deputy Mayor of the 9th district of Paris Alexy  Govchian, ex-member of the French government Patrick Devedjian,  co-chairs of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of  France Ara Toranyan and Murad Papazyan, businessmen Daniel  Kourkchyan, Serge Churuk, Vardan Srmakesh , Armen Petrosyan, Alain  Mikli, President of the Union of Filmmakers Alain Terzian,  world-famous football player Yuri Jorkaeff and others,  the pres  service of Prime Minister informs.

In his speech, the Prime Minister noted that the presence of  prominent French-Armenians symbolized the opportunities available  today in the Republic of Armenia. "What happened in Armenia is quite  easy to understand. The citizens of Armenia and the Armenian people  regained their trust and self-confidence. This is the key change that  has taken place. No matter who is government and who is opposition -  people are the only source of power in the Republic of Armenia and  there is no exaggeration in it.

Earlier today, I hosted and talked to representatives of the  France-Armenia Friendship Group. I told them that a new governance  system is being shaped in the Republic of Armenia, that of direct  democracy. Since this statement may give rise to some  misunderstanding, I wish to note that by saying this I mean the  following: citizens should have greater participation in  decision-making, specifically by means of referendums.

I think a new process has started in Armenia, which will spread all  over the world. I want to believe that the Armenian people and  Armenia have assumed a role which is of global significance, and I  also believe that the Armenian nation has the necessary potential,  historical background and skills to have a say in developing new  systems in the world. Seeing those present, I want to believe that  our State will take its share of leadership instead of skidding in  the backdrop of modern politics. The Armenian nation has that very  potential, and as the representative of the people which was the  first to adopt Christianity as a State religion, I believe in the  idea that we have far more serious and greater potential.

We must unite our forces just because the velvet revolution took  place not only with the participation of Armenian citizens, but also  with that of Diaspora Armenians.

What do I mean by participation? Namely, that your clear-cut position  and positive stance were the most powerful factor that could change  the political situation in Armenia. It is important for me reach out  the spiritual, cultural and political content of what happened,  which, as it turned out, should bring us together.

I do believe that the Armenian people have shouldered a new role, and  that new role is first of all to create a free and happy homeland. I  can guarantee that today all people are equal before the law in  Armenia. Being or having more and less in the country is the  cornerstone on which our new reality is to be built. I would like to  thank you for your position and reception.

Many things remain to be said yet, but I want to assure you that I  could read in your eyes everything you wanted to say, and I hope you  have seen in my eyes what you wanted to hear.

We are the descendants of the same patriarch, we are the children of  the same homeland, the bearers of the same dreams, we are the  creators of the same victory and we must be together," the Prime  Minister concluded.  During the exchange of opinions that followed,  the Premier answered numerous questions raised by French-Armenian  public figures concerning the changes underway in Armenia:  development of democracy, fight against corruption, betterment of the  business environment, attracting investments, etc.