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  • Armenian President: There Is No Nation In The World Whom Armenia And

    ARMENIAN PRESIDENT: THERE IS NO NATION IN THE WORLD WHOM ARMENIA AND ARMENIANS WOULD CALL THEIR ENEMY

    17:39 28/11/2012 » POLITICS

    President Serzh Sargsyan, who is Lebanon on an official visit, on
    Tuesday had a meeting with the President of the National Assembly of
    Lebanon Nabih Berri. Later, the meeting with the President of Armenia
    continued in the extended format with the participation of the members
    of the parliament, presidential press service reported.

    The parties stressed the importance of the interparliamentary ties
    in the development of the interstate relations, strengthening of
    mutual trust, active cooperation between the parliaments of the two
    countries, which, according to the parties, will also promote the
    Armenian-Lebanese economic relations.

    The importance of cooperation of the parliamentarians in the
    international structures was also stressed at the meeting.

    President Serzh Sargsyan and President of the National Assembly of
    Lebanon Nabih Berri highlighted the necessity of the coordinated
    and planned work of all state structures and parliaments of Armenia
    and Lebanon for raising the relations of the two countries to a
    qualitatively new level.

    The interlocutors also spoke about the tense situation in some
    Middle East countries and discussed possibilities of the resolution
    of that tension.

    Serzh Sargsyan presented to Nabin Berri challenges and problems
    existing in our region, including the latest developments in the NK
    peace process.

    At the meeting with the President and members of the Lebanese
    Parliament, President Sargsyan made a statement.

    Distinguished Mr. Berri,

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    I am glad to have this opportunity to visit the friendly Lebanon
    again - a country which for a considerable part of the Armenian nation
    has become the second motherland. Taking this opportunity, I express
    my deep gratitude to the President of the National Assembly of the
    Republic of Lebanon, my good friend Nabih Berri for this invitation,
    warm welcome and for the opportunity to share with you our objectives
    regarding the Armenian-Lebanese cooperation and to present Armenia~Rs
    position on a number of international issues.

    The Armenian-Lebanese relations are not just those of partners ~V
    these are friendly relations since Armenia and Lebanon are bonded by
    the centuries-long friendship and strong historical and cultural ties.

    Armenia and Lebanon began their joint journey through the crossroads
    of history long, long ago. Very often, the courses of our two nations
    went concurrently, as did our histories, destinies, and cultures. The
    history proved, destiny decided, and culture harmonized all that. As
    a result, a strong Armenian-Lebanese friendship emerged.

    We will always remember with gratitude the indispensable assistance
    offered by the people of Lebanon when as a result of the state policy
    of extermination conceived and carried out in the Ottoman Turkey,
    a large segment of the Armenian nation living and creating on its own
    land was subjected to the genocide and had to leave its homeland. The
    hospitable, considerate and tolerant Lebanon became a shelter where
    the fragments of the Armenian nation had found a refuge and safe
    haven, became stronger, drew themselves up, actively participating
    and integrating into the political, social and economic, cultural
    life of Lebanon, at the same time preserving their rich national
    culture and values.

    I take this opportunity to express gratitude to the distinguished
    President of the National Assembly of Lebanon Nabih Berri and members
    of the parliament for the serious steps which Lebanon, unlike other
    countries of the region, has undertaken toward the recognition of
    the Armenian Genocide and adoption of the resolutions condemning
    it, earning thus a boundless admiration and respect of the entire
    Armenian nation.

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    >>From day one of independence, the leadership of Armenia has been
    attaching great importance to the development and expansion of its
    cooperation with the Arab world. Our first embassies were established
    in Arab countries. Undoubtedly, because of the reasons mentioned
    above, in the Arab world, Lebanon holds a special place for Armenia
    and Armenians. We view Lebanon as Armenia~Rs and Armenian nation~Rs
    precious friend and reliable partner.

    This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of
    diplomatic relations between Armenia and Lebanon. During this visit,
    I have had opportunities to speak about our political dialogue,
    economic cooperation, and high-level people to people contacts. At
    this point, I would like to speak in particular about the development
    of the Armenian-Lebanese interparliamentary relations which were among
    the first in the modern Armenian-Lebanese relations to be established
    through the agreement signed in 1993. I believe, you personally, Mr.

    Berri, deserve credit for this, you who for the last two decades has
    always been on the first line of the Armenian-Lebanese cooperation
    and brotherhood. Today, the Armenian-Lebanese interparliamentary
    cooperation is developing dynamically.

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Nowadays it is almost impossible, to efficiently resist current
    challenges without assistance from friends. The changing nature
    of these challenges and their geographical extension have created a
    situation when cooperation between states has become an imperative. We
    are guided by the conviction that we all are responsible for the
    establishment of peace and prosperity in the world. Fully cognizant of
    the seriousness and supranational character of the existing challenges,
    the Republic of Armenia has adopted a course of creating a mutually
    beneficial cooperation with all countries based on good will.

    Dear Friends,

    Unfortunately, the South Caucasus and Middle East continue to
    remain explosive areas, full of contentions and conflicts. Armenia
    is concerned with the events unfolding in the Middle East: today they
    have become a priority for us and an item on Armenia~Rs foreign policy
    agenda. The Arab world has entered a serious transition stage which
    requires great patience, tenacity and faith to overcome. A wave of
    democratic upheavals, which is sadly not bloodless, is conditioned
    by a number of deep-rooted factors which have objective as well
    as subjective causes. They are of a social, economic and political
    nature. In a nutshell, evidently these processes are based on the
    rising demands of the population to improve and modernize state
    structures, and in some cases the authorities are not prepared for such
    reforms. As a result, a number of countries have to face challenges
    such as selection of the type of governing, constitutional changes,
    organization of presidential and political elections, implementation
    of democratic reforms, etc. However the greatest challenge is the
    establishment of peace and stability, as well as the cessation of
    violence.

    We are deeply concerned with the destiny of the Syrian people.

    Continuous armed clashes and terrorist acts are simply unacceptable.

    One cannot watch without pain the ongoing bloodshed and watch the
    country being destructed day after day. I am confident that the
    existing situation is also a result of some regional countries~R
    proclivity to solve some of their problems with the blood of the Syrian
    people. Armenia has always advocated the ending of the bloodshed and
    a peaceful resolution of the conflict by the Syrians themselves.

    Along with the brotherly people of Syria, thousands of the Syrian
    Armenians are also going through the hard times. Armenia~Rs position on
    that issue is clear-cut too: this is a calamity which must be conquered
    together. And we urge our Armenian brothers in Syria to struggle
    for the speedy re-establishment of peace in Syria ~V their second
    motherland which had once received them with open hearts. The Armenian
    Diaspora of Syria is a historically formed, strong and viable community
    which we are really proud of. Armenia and the entire Armenian nation
    have been and will continue to support the people of Syria in their
    desire to find peace in their own home and to preserve their hearths.

    Prosperous and dignified life is an inalienable right of every nation
    in the world. Today, many peoples are struggling for the values which
    were enrooted in Lebanon long ago. Certainly, it was a difficult
    road for you too, however ultimately you became the regional leader
    of democracy, since from day one, the development of your country
    has been based on the principles of political and civil liberties,
    diversity, and equality. That road was difficult also because the
    neighbors of Lebanon were not ready for it, and for that Lebanon paid
    dearly. This is a reality which we, Armenians, unfortunately are also
    well familiar with.

    Today, Lebanon indeed feels the results of the unfavorable regional
    developments. We were deeply shaken and condemned strictly the
    terrorist act which occurred in Beirut on October 19. Expressing
    our condolences to the families of the victims, we express hope
    that that dismal provocation will not shatter peace in Lebanon. We
    have no doubt that the collective wisdom of the country~Rs political
    leadership and undertaken practical steps aimed at the establishment
    of the atmosphere of national dialogue and mutual trust will preclude
    Lebanon from serious shocks. I am confident that the Armenian community
    of Lebanon, which once received a warm welcome from you, will always
    stand by you. The Armenian authorities in their turn are ready within
    the scope of our abilities to support Lebanon and the Armenians of
    Lebanon in addressing issues before you.

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Our region unfortunately is also familiar with the calamities of war;
    we know what the imposed war is and how fertile soil which breeds
    hatred is being created. Quite recently, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh
    in response to their peaceful demand for their basic and legitimate
    right for self-determination were forced to face and win the war
    imposed on them by Azerbaijan. In the dilemma of the exodus from their
    homeland and self-defense, the heroic people of Nagorno- Karabakh
    chose the second. Paying price in numerous victims and great blood,
    they won the right to live free on their own land.

    Now, Azerbaijan spares no effort to present a distorted version of the
    problem, spreading disinformation in various structures and misleading
    different countries. In some settings, Azerbaijan is trying to present
    the issue as a conflict on religious grounds which cannot be further
    from the truth. Armenia~Rs warm, friendly relations with many of
    the Islamic states prove our openness for a dialogue with different
    religions and civilizations. Regrettably Azerbaijan nevertheless
    occasionally succeeds through the exploitation of the Islamic
    solidarity in forming a distorted position regarding the NK conflict.

    Using this opportunity, I would like to once again to express my
    heartfelt gratitude to Lebanon for its balanced position on the NK
    issue and for the assistance provided in the framework of international
    organizations. Your unbiased position contributes to the stability
    in our region.

    Despite the ceasefire, today Azerbaijan continues to shell not only the
    borders of Karabakh but also borders of Armenia, killing innocent young
    people. In response to all efforts of the international community
    to solve the problem through peaceful means, Azerbaijan carries
    on with its bellicose rhetoric and unprecedented accumulation of
    weaponry. Just one example: according to different sources, weaponry
    purchased by Azerbaijan from Israel exceeds 1,5 billion dollars price
    tag. It is no accident that Azerbaijan refuses to cooperate on any
    proposal by the mediators to establish confidence building measures
    such as removal of snipers from the line of contact, or creation of
    the mechanism for the investigation of the border incidents.

    Moreover, the Azeri authorities continue with great ardor to inject
    their people with hatred and animosity toward Armenians. How else
    would you comment on the statement by the leader of that country that
    ~SArmenians all over the world are Azerbaijan~Rs number one enemy?~T
    Here, from this high podium, I state with the utmost responsibility
    that there is no nation in the world whom Armenia and Armenians would
    call their enemy. And it is quite natural. Our enemy is xenophobia
    which is so abundantly is being infused into the young generation of
    Azerbaijan. Our enemies are extremism and intolerance which for some
    have become dreams to erase Armenia and Karabakh from the world map,
    to cleanse them of Armenians, as once another part of Azerbaijan ~V
    Autonomy of Nakhichevan was cleansed.

    As a result of this shortsighted policy, the people of Azerbaijan
    will never be ready for a peaceful coexistence, even if the agreement
    on the solution of the problem is reached somehow. After all, neither
    Armenia, nor I guess Azerbaijan are not going anywhere from our region,
    thus a prospect of the peaceful and prosperous South Caucasus is not
    a choice but a requirement.

    Dear Friends,

    It~Rs been a while since Turkey and Azerbaijan, standing shoulder to
    shoulder, continue the illegal blockade of Armenia which although
    has harmed and impeded our country~Rs development and prosperity,
    nevertheless has not been able to derail our advancement. I believe
    the time has come for our neighbors to look realistically at the
    events going on in the region, to reevaluate the efficiency of their
    steps. Maybe in that case, our weary peoples will get a hope of a
    peaceful and concordant future.

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Twenty-one years ago, the reestablishment of independence opened
    a new page in the Armenian history. Armenia has adopted the course
    of democratic development and stays that course. Overcoming scores
    of objective and artificial hurdles, today we have strong Armenian
    statehood, political stability, powerful Army, open and multifunctional
    economy, reliable financial system, strong social structures, and
    citizens well-aware of their rights.

    One of the most cherished objectives of the Armenian leadership is to
    pass over to future generations values which are aimed for a stable,
    secure, peaceful and harmonious existence. Such future can be created
    only together with friends. I am confident that Armenia and Lebanon
    will go down that long road together.

    Allow me to express thanks for your attention and wish the Republic
    of Lebanon lasting stability and prosperity, and unbreakable peace
    and new achievements to the brotherly people of Lebanon.

    Long live the Armenian-Lebanese friendship!

    Source: Panorama.am

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