French Senator Valérie Boyer, attending a ceremony at the Armenian Garden in Marseille’s Département des Bouches-du-Rhône alongside Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, stated that the event was an opportunity to reaffirm France’s friendship with Armenia. She shared her thoughts in a Facebook post.

“For years, I have fought to defend the Armenian people, their wounded memory, their culture, their freedom, the recognition of their truth, and their security, especially in Artsakh. And today, the presence of the Catholicos of All Armenians reminds us once again that this struggle is just, necessary, and must continue,” she wrote.

The event was also attended by Martine Vassal, President of the Departmental Council of Bouches-du-Rhône and the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis; Sylvain Souvestre, Mayor of Marseille’s 11th and 12th districts; Marine Pustorino, Mayor of the 4th and 5th districts; Aurora Brunan, President of AGBU-Marseille; and numerous other officials and representatives of civic organizations.

During his visit to Marseille, Catholicos Karekin II declared at the Church of the Holy Translators that the anti-church policies pursued by Armenia’s current authorities are deeply concerning.