Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan Awarded France’s Legion of Honor

PARIS — Armenia’s Minister of Defense, Suren Papikyan, has been awarded France’s Legion of Honor by decree of French President Emmanuel Macron, according to Armenia’s Ministry of Defense.

The decoration was presented to the defense chief by French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who “highly valued Papikyan’s significant contribution to the development of Armenia–France relations.”

Papikyan arrived in France yesterday on an official visit. During his meeting in Paris with Lecornu, both sides emphasized the need to expand cooperation in the defense sector. They discussed issues related to the development and deepening of Armenia–France defense cooperation and highlighted the importance of strengthening their strategic partnership.

Papikyan also met with France’s Minister Delegate for Veterans and Memory, Patricia Mirallès. The parties agreed to further deepen and expand cooperation, elevating it to a new and higher level, while continuing joint initiatives aimed at strengthening defense capabilities.

In October 2023, Armenia and France signed agreements on military cooperation, under which France provides Armenia with radars and missiles, as well as advisory support on military reforms.

Yerevan and Paris have repeatedly emphasized that France supplies Armenia exclusively with defensive equipment. Armenia has stated that it is diversifying its security partnerships, and that its military reforms carry no aggressive intent.