Following the cooperation with the French Embassy in Armenia “Local Democracy Agency” foundation on 13th of November, 2015 had an honour to receive in the foundation office the French Ambassador Mr. Jean-François Charpentier, head of the culture and cooperation department Mr. Jean-Michel Kasbarean and cultural attaché Mrs. Natalia Tsagris.
The meeting with LDA Armenia and active civil society representatives was scheduled as a part of the Ambassador first official visit to Gyumri to get acquainted with the governor of Shirak region, Gyumri mayor as well as with the students of State Pedagogic Institute. The ambassador wondered and would like to get the feedback on the difficulties of working with the Local Authorities and citizens, administration reforms project on the consolidation of the communities and the upcoming referendum on the Constitutional Reforms. Mkrtcih Tshartaryan the director of the Union of Non-Governmental Organizations of Shirak region presented that consolidation on Armenian communities brought forward the doubt about the community leaders and staff that would lose their jobs, citizens didn’t want to be dependent on other community or for the solution of one question pass long directions for reaching the local administrative centre or department. Levon Barseghyan from “Asparez” Journalists’ club mentioned that if “YES” wins than the citizens will be deprived to participate in the local elections that underestimates the local democracy principles in Armenia. During the meeting the Ambassador mentioned also about Rhone-Alpes –Armenia cooperation in the frames of which the promotion of local democracy is one of the priorities. The meeting once again proved the cooperation between the French Embassy in Armenia and “Local Democracy Agency” foundation.