A French-Armenian approached Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan on the street today in Yerevan and greeted him saying ‘bonjour’.

Not missing a beat, Abrahamyan, who was hurrying to the parliament, responded in kind.

The man then asked the newly appointed prime minister what he’d be doing for Armenians in Europe. Abrahamyan said that Armenia intended to continue its cooperation with European Union countries, adding that joining the Russian-led Customs Union wouldn’t prevent Yerevan’s ties to the EU.

The French-Armenian continued to pepper Abrahamyan with questions in broken Armenian. The prime minister confessed that he didn’t understand the man’s queries.

“Come here and open a business. I’ll resolve any problems you might face. We’ve lifted the taxes. In front of all these reporters I can promise that anyone that I, as the newly appointed prime minister, will stand by anyone starting a business in Armenia,” Abrahamyan told the man.

The French-Armenian then whispered in Abrahamyan’s ear, “What sort of business do you want us to start in Armenia.”

Perhaps not understanding the question, Abrahamyan replied, “Yes, yes, come and start a business here. Doesn’t Hranoush Hakobyan say come home?”

Hranoush Hakobyan is Armenia’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs.