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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia has sent a condolence message to French President Emmanuel Macron on the demise of former French President Jacques Chirac who led the country from 1995 to 2007.

The message, publicized by the PM's press service, runs as follows:

“I was deeply grieved to learn of the passing of former President of the French Republic Jacques Chirac. France has lost a great statesman.

Being the embodiment of his country’s greatness and having devoted his life to France, he did his best to enhance France’s standing in the international scene through his unfailing service to the Motherland and the efforts aimed at protecting the rights and sovereignty of the French people and other nations

The Armenian people will never forget President Chirac’s sincere friendship, his valuable contribution to the campaign for recognition of the Armenian Genocide by force of law, as well as his involvement in the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Armenian people are grateful to President Chirac for his effort to safeguard the Armenian cultural heritage, especially for his care and thoughtfulness of cultural monuments in Ani, Armenia’s historical capital.

President Chirac is indeed one of the symbols of the rebirth of bilateral relations between Armenia and France. We have kept fond recollections of his state visit to Armenia, his being present at the inauguration of the Place de la France in Yerevan, as well as the organization of an unprecedented event - the Year of Armenia in France.

I extend my most sincere condolences to the French people, to the French state, and to President Chirac’s family and friends. The Armenians share the sorrow caused by the demise of the great French statesman and great personality.”