Serzh Sargsyan: Next Armenian president should be person, who has never been in politics

January 17, 2018 By administrator

YEREVAN.- The next president should know foreign languages, have broad connections in both Diaspora and Armenia, enjoy high reputation, and what is most important, be an impartial individual who has never been in politics and has never been a member of any political party, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan noted following the solemn ceremony of handing “Order of Homeland” to National Hero of Armenia Hovhannes Chekijyan. President Sargsyan had a meeting with some of the intellectuals that attended the ceremony around a tea table, the press service of the Armenian President’s Office reported.

At the beginning of the meeting noting that during the past years he periodically held meetings with intellectuals, President Serzh Sargsyan once again underlined the role and the mission of the intellectuals in the life of the country and offered to have an open and sincere discussion about Armenia and its future, particularly, under the light of the new governance system as a result of the Constitutional changes. Serzh Sargsyan expected to hear the positions, suggestions, as well as concerns and assessments of the intellectuals on the reality in the country.

The participants of the meeting highlighted such meetings and discussions, talked about their visions of Armenia’s future, issues of public concern, including education of the youth, the huge role of the state to educate good citizens, preservation of the purity of the Armenian language and a number of other issues.

The President also answered the questions of the intellectuals that referred to the security of the country and foreign policy. The participants of the meeting asked President Sargsyan, as a person who has run very important positions for years and has passed through the hardships of the war, what criteria the next president of the Republic should meet.

Presenting his vision on the next president of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan noted that the person to assume that post should be someone who has passed a serious path, has reputation inside the country and abroad, and can properly present Armenia in other countries, meaning to fulfill his representative functions.

Armenian President affirms strength of ties with Egypt

October 1, 2017 By administrator

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan asserted the strength of ties binding the Egyptian and Armenian peoples, noting that such relations are characterized by friendship and mutual trust.

The Armenian President made the remarks during his meeting with Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr, who is currently on a visit to Yerevan to attend the 5th session of the Egyptian-Armenian joint committee meetings.

He asserted the importance of promoting economic cooperation with Egypt in line with the agreement reached during the joint committee meetings with the aim of developing a plan on implementing the deals inked between the two sides as soon as possible.

Nasr said the Egyptian government welcomes the Armenian investors and adopts an open policy in order to encourage investment.

Meanwhile, Sargsyan said Yerevan is keen to have direct flights with Cairo and to increase the number of Armenian tourists to Egypt.

Nasr also held talks with Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan. They discussed the steps needed to foster bilateral economic cooperation and agreed on exchanging expertise and establishing joint investments.

The Egyptian minister affirmed that Egypt is Armenia’s gate into Africa. Similarly, the Armenian premier noted that Armenia can be Egypt’s gate into the Eurasian Union.

Nasr also had a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and Minister of Economic Development and Investment Suren Karayan. The two meetings touched on cementing ties between Egypt and Armenia.

Armenia President has phone conversation with US Vice President-elect

December 2, 2016 By administrator

conversation-with-us-vp YEREVAN. – President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, on Thursday had a telephonic conversation with US Vice President-elect, Mike Pence.

The phone call was initiated by the American side, Press Office of the President of Armenia informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Sargsyan once again congratulated President-elect Donald Trump and his team on winning the US presidential election, and wished them success in the implementation of their accountable mission.

The two parties underscored that the current level of Armenian-American cooperation in the political and economic domains will not only be maintained, but it will receive new impetus during the tenure of the new US Administration.

Armenian President Sargsyan and US Vice President-elect Pence also discussed matters of mutual interest, including regional problems and challenges

Armenian President receives special envoy of his Chinese counterpart

May 22, 2016 By administrator

Jianzhu YEREVAN. – President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on Saturday received the delegation headed by special envoy of Chinese President Meng Jianzhu, who is also the Secretary of Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China.

The Armenian President welcomed the guests, noting that such a visit is indicative of the strengthening of bilateral ties, Armenian President’s press-service reports.

The interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the fact that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, the Armenian-Chinese interstate relations have been on the rise in all areas, including political, economic and cultural.

“The People’s Republic of China is one of the important partners of Armenia, and we welcome its success and are happy for the progress recorded in all the spheres,” the President said.

Sargsyan and Mr. Jianzhu agreed that the official visit of the Armenian President to China raised the Armenian-Chinese interstate relations to a qualitatively new level, once again showing that both countries are developing productive and multilateral cooperation in all the areas.

The interlocutors attached importance to the mutual high-level visits, which have become frequent recently.

The special envoy of the Chinese President noted that aim of the delegation’s visit is to invigorate and deepen the Armenian-Chinese cooperation in the law enforcement area, considering that it will significantly contribute to the strengthening of bilateral political ties. According to him, all this is also important in the context of the changes taking place in the world and the region. This dictates China Armenia Meeting Armenia and China to establish more close cooperation, he added.

Meng Jianzhu assured that his country will spare no effort to contribute to the stability and security in the region.

Armenian President, U.S. Vice President speak by phone

May 20, 2016 By administrator

US VP and Armenian YEREVAN. – President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden spoke on the phone Friday to discuss issues related to the current stage of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict normalization. The conversation took place upon the initiative of the American side.

The sides attached importance to the full and productive implementation of the arrangements reached upon the initiative of the foreign ministers of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries in Vienna on May 16.

They also agreed that the conflict can be resolved exclusively by peaceful means and in the framework of the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group mediating co-chairmanship.

Armenia President visits Massachusetts Institute of Technology

March 30, 2016 By administrator

default President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, who is on a working visit to the United States (US), on Tuesday visited—in the State of Massachusetts—Moderna Therapeutics biotechnology company, which develops a new generation of medical drugs.

The President met with company founder, American Armenian entrepreneur Noubar Afeyan, and CEO Stéphane Bancel. Subsequently, he toured Moderna Therapeutics.

On the same day, the President of Armenia paid a visit to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

First, he met with MIT President Leo Rafael Reif, and then toured the media laboratory of this private research university.

Afterward, Sargsyan visited the MIT Samberg Conference Center, where he attended and addressed at a reception and meeting with the fellows and alumni of Luys fund scholarships.

MIT-Visit

Armenian president We will never forget Greeks who lent us helping hand after Genocide –

March 15, 2016 By administrator

President Serzh Sargsyan hailed the dynamically developing Armenian-Greek relations, praising the local Armenian community’s role in the continuing partnership and dialogue.
Speaking at a news conference held jointly with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, the Armenian leader said that the nation will never forget the Greek people’s attention and care to the Armenian Genocide survivors in the country.
“We will never forget the Greek brothers’ assistance and the broad opportunities offered to the Armenians to live and create in the new fatherland. I highly appreciate Armenia’s principled stance on the recognition and condemnation of that extremely grave crime. Greece reaffirmed its commitment to that, adopting the Anti-Racism and Xenophobia Bill (9 September, 2014) ahead of our national tragedy’s centennial to criminalize also the Armenian Genocide denial. It thus addressed an exemplary message to the world civilization. In turn, the National Assembly of Armenia unanimously adopted the statement on condemning the genocide of Assyrians and Greeks in the Ottoman Empire. This vividly proves that the spirit of solidarity has for centuries united and will keep uniting our peoples,” the president said.

Inauguration of the new shopping center “Mall Russia” in Yerevan, attended by Armenian President

March 6, 2016 By administrator

arton122918-480x320 Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan attended on March 5 at the opening of the mall “Russia Mall” in Yerevan. Accompanied by Mayor Taron Margaryan Yerevan and the leaders of the Yerevan metro Armenian President, head of a delegation took the subway to the station “Marshal Baghramyan” and headed for the station “Andranik Zoravar “(General Andranik) who has a direct entrance to the new shopping center” Mall Russia “. The latter belongs to “Sil” group.

Krikor Amirzayan

Armenian President addresses a reception at US Congress

October 1, 2015 By administrator

On 30 September, President Serzh Sargsyan took part in a reception held by the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation at the United States Congress in honor of the RA president. Apart from foundation representatives, the reception was attended about two dozen congressmen, e.g. Ed Royce, chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Congressmen Adam Schiff, Brad Sherman, Jackie Speier, Robert Dold, Jim Costain-Dave Trott, David Valadao, Judy Chu, and by some influential representatives of the Armenian community. During the congressional reception, the RA president made an address at the end of which the foundation members handed over the Raoul Wallenberg Foundation Medal to Morgenthau’s grandson Robert Morgenthau. The congressmen and the other guests welcomed the RA president and stressed that as friends of Armenia and the Armenian people, they will thenceforth continue to stand beside Armenia to help deal with its vital problems and contribute to the development, strengthening and well-being of Armenia.

Remarks by the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan
at the Congressional Luncheon

Eminencies,
Honorable Chairman Royce,
Distinguished Members of the Congress,
Distinguished Messrs. Eurnekian and Tenenbaum,

It is a great honor for me to be here today. This gathering is paying tribute not only to the victims, survivors, and their descendants, but also to the entire Armenian people. This is equally an expression of respect for all nations that have ever gone through the ordeal which is genocide.

This provides yet another opportunity to state that tolerance, alongside pluralism and equality in rights, is the source of ultimate values, though it may also be nefarious when the object of tolerance is vice, when the deplorable is tolerated. Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor and Nobel prize winner, said: “Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must – at that moment – become the center of the universe.”

In this respect the initiative to posthumously award the International Raoul Wallenberg Medal to Henry Morgenthau, Sr., is momentous and possesses a particular significance. I am delighted that his grandson, Mr. Robert Morgenthau, is here with us today.

Mr. Morgenthau,

Your grandfather was the first American to tell the world of the mass atrocities by the Young Turks against the Armenian people, qualifying them as a “campaign of race extermination”. Holding the office of the U.S. ambassador to the Ottoman Empire and having witnessed the nightmare first hand, he was to subsequently write in his Ambassador Morgenthau’s Story:“I am confident that the whole history of the human race contains no such horrible episode as this. The great massacres and persecutions of the past seem almost insignificant when compared with the sufferings of the Armenian race in 1915. … For all I know this represents a new crime pursuing wholesale extermination.” Subsequently this new crime that Morgenthau detailed was to be qualified as Genocide by Raphael Lemkin.

They say that as long as memory stays alive, so does the truth. Quite a number of facts associated with the Armenian Genocide have passed to us through Henry Morgenthau’s memoir. To this day his account is one of the most important original sources documenting the premeditated nature of the savage and inhuman crimes by the Young Turks. It is appropriate to recall how one of the organizers of the Armenian Genocide, interior minister of the Ottoman Empire Talaat had reproved Ambassador Morgenthau: “Why are you so interested in the Armenians anyway? You are a Jew; these people are Christians… Why can’t you let us do with these Christians as we please?”

It was the same Morgenthau who conceptualized and advocated for the American Committee for Relief in the Near East. Hundreds of its workers in various countries, including Armenia, undertook to provide care for orphans, saving tens of thousands of parentless Armenian children from imminent death. Upon completion of diplomatic service, he continued humanitarian endeavors, providing assistance to Armenian, Assyrian and Greek exiles who had survived the mass slaughter and had been purged from their homeland. This remains one of the highlights of American humanism.

Henry Morgenthau’s name is indelible for every Armenian: as a champion putting truth above silence, who preferred the selfless and sometimes unsafe task of helping those who were in peril. It is not incidental that the memorial wall next to the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, among other intellectuals and prominent figures who had raised their voice against the Armenian Genocide, contains an urn with soil from Morgenthau’s grave. In April this year the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute held a tribute, with the participation of his family, launching the publication of Morgenthau’s Story in the Armenian language. Moreover, the Armenian Postal service issued a stamp in his memory, and I too attended its official First Day cancellation ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Several months ago I visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. It is a most compelling and articulate testimonial to the crime of genocide. Museums on crimes perpetrated against humanity convey a clear message to current and future generations: never to forget the grim chapters of history. Still, we should not rely solely on museums and memorials. Remaining faithful to the dictum “We Remember,” we must do everything possible, and the impossible, to secure a safe future for those who come after us. Hence, propagating the mission of Henry Morgenthau and his successors acquires great importance for us not only with a view of preserving memory for the future generations of Armenians and Americans, but also in the context of humanitarian education on a global scale. We should converge our efforts to keep alive the memory of the victims of the crime of genocide, to build a world free of violence. The prevention of the crime of genocide and fighting its denial is an important pivot in this pursuit.

I reiterate my words of gratitude addressed to the Raoul Wallenberg Foundation for their efforts to safeguard universal memory. Eternalizing the memory of the Mets Yeghern, Shoah and other crimes of genocide, persistently presenting these horrendous episodes of human history, and sending through them important messages to the generations to come shall have a conclusive significance in keeping the world free of that crime.

I address words of gratitude to the U.S. Congress and to all Congressmen and Congresswomen present, who have spared no efforts over years towards the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Your role in the recognition and condemnation of our national tragedy is undeniable. I am certain that the work you have done shall culminate in its logical conclusion.

While being here, at the Capitol Hill, I would like to extend our words of gratitude to the people of the United States, and the U.S. Congress for the humanitarian assistance allocated to Nagorno Karabakh over the years. That assistance has been significant for the people of Artsakh both from the humanitarian and, first and foremost, moral perspective. It comes to testify, time and again, that the Nagorno Karabakh Republic has not been forgotten in its efforts to build independent and democratic state while countering the persistent provocations of Azerbaijan, which has chosen the path to perfect the tyranny. It is unambiguous that the Nagorno Karabakh people’s path toward freedom, toward determination to master its fate on its own, and toward building a democratic society is irrevocable. In this context, your continued support is indeed crucial.

Dear attendees,

Allow me to conclude in an optimistic key: if there is agony and genocide in this world, there also exist Wallenberg and Morgenthau, who have long become common name for us. Common name, since they stand for all humanitarians of this world, whether Christian or Muslim, female or male, kin or alien, jeopardizing their existence, saving Armenians and Assyrians, Greeks and Jews, Darfurians and others from the claws of death. Henry Morgenthau and Raoul Wallenberg, and those who carry their torch today can bring about change, help life triumph over death.

Source: radio Armenia

Armenian President reports to General Assembly on increasing tension with Azerbaijan

September 29, 2015 By administrator

His Excellency Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia addresses the general debate of the General AssemblyÕs seventieth session.

29 September 2015 – The peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh problem remains one of the most salient issues in the South Caucasus, the President of Armenia today told world leaders attending the General Assembly, while highlighting that the establishment of the UN has been one of the “greatest achievements of humankind” that consolidated nations around shared aspirations and principles.

“I shall note that aggressive policy pursued by Azerbaijan resulted in the absence of any meaningful progress in negotiations for the conflict settlement, and the situation drifts toward increasing tension,” said President Serzh Sargsyan at the annual debate in New York.

An autonomous region during Soviet times, Nagorno-Karabakh has been at the centre of a dispute between the neighbouring countries since they became independent in the early 1990s.

“Just a few days ago in the bordering area of Armenia, three women fell victim to Azerbaijani bombardment,” the President recalled. “It is obvious for us that the Azerbaijani leadership has irreversibly lost both the sense of reality and of norms of human conduct.”
He further noted that Azerbaijan “completely disdains” five joint statements issued by the leaders of the United States, Russia and France, as well as the efforts of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group.

“Shall it continue such an aggressive policy, it will not leave Armenia any other choice but to take necessary legal and political-military steps to provide the Republic of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh Republic with the opportunity to develop in security and peace,” President Sargsyan warned.

Meanwhile, he recalled that last year, one the eve of the Armenian Genocide Centennial, he expressed gratitude to the nations that recognized the Armenian Genocide and named them all individually.

“Today, from this very podium, I thank Pope Francis, and acknowledge the historical Mass he served; the European Parliament, and recall the Resolution it adopted; the German President, and, believe me, his well-known statement will thenceforth take part in the pages of our nation’s history textbooks,” the President continued.

He also thanked the legislative bodies of Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, for their recent recognition of the 1915 genocide.

“Our determination to keep the prevention of the crime of genocide on the international agenda is [exemplified] by the resolutions we periodically table at the Human Rights Council,” Armenia’s leader underlined.

Furthermore, President Sargsyan said the global community is today witnessing “unspeakable cruelty” in the Middle East, and that his country has been directly affected by the atrocities unfolding there, since they result in the destruction of the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage artefacts, as well as the murder and expulsion of the numerous Armenians residing in Iraq and Syria.

“The Armenian community of Syria, whose history is centuries-long, shares and experiences all hardships that the Syrian people are undergoing in these difficult times,” he declared.

“We are trying to aid the refugees to the best of our abilities: until this day, Armenia received more than 16,000 refugees from Syria. By this sheer figure, Armenia is one of the first among recipient European countries.”

He also highlighted the historical agreement made on the nuclear program of Iran, which he noted is an “immediate neighbor” of Armenia.

“All these come to prove that when there is political will to bridge disagreements and emphasize the spirit of cooperation, it is indeed possible to find solutions for the most complicated issues,” the President highlighted.

Source: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52051#.VgtNqHiiCDS