Yerevan /Mediamax/. French President Emmanuel Macron has sent a letter of support to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in which he notes that another French medical team will arrive in Yerevan to replace the one that is currently helping Armenian medics treat COVID-19 patients.

“Both France and Armenia are facing serious healthcare, economic and social challenges. The crisis should not force us to step back. On the contrary, the pandemic should be a unique opportunity for cooperation aimed at fighting against the virus and its consequences,” reads the letter.

Macron has highlighted that the current crisis brought challenges for the economies of Armenia and France.

“Through the French Development Agency (AFD) that already operates in Armenia, France is ready to consider a EUR 50-80 million loan, which will allow Armenia to cover part of the additional budget expenses your country is facing this year.

The AFD program, which is aimed at strengthening the capacities of the country resisting a crisis, will be implemented in cooperation with other creditor organizations, for instance, the World Bank. The focus can be on healthcare and social protection as well as the efforts aimed at reducing the consequences of the climate change,” Macron said in the letter.

The French President has also noted he hopes that both France and Armenia will come out of the crisis with strengthened ties of friendship and mutual understanding.