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Press releases
09
03, 2011
President Valdis Zatlers hosted a state dinner in honor of the President Sargsyan, who is in Latvia on official visit
The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers and Mrs. Lilita Zatlers hosted a state dinner in honor of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, who is in Latvia on official visit.
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Speech of President Serzh Sargsyan at the official dinner hosted by the President of Latvia in honor of the President of Armenia
Mr. President, Mrs. Zatlers,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am greatly touched by the warm reception extended to the delegation of Armenia here, in friendly Latvia. I am here, at the hospitable Latvian land on official visit upon the invitation of my colleague, the President of Latvia Mr. Zatlers. Almost one year ago we had the honor and privilege to host Mr. and Mrs. Zatlers in Armenia. I am confident that these regular high-level visits truly reflect the advanced level of our political dialogue and mutual trust.
Diplomatic relations between our countries have a brief, only a 20 year-long history, however relations between our two nations are not limited by that short period of time. Diplomatic relations and a vibrant political dialogue existing between our two nations witness the realization of the Armenian and Latvian peoples’ dream to live free and independent and mutual assistance for making that reality irreversible.
Historical developments made Armenians known as intermediaries in the contacts between the East and the West, the North and the South. Latvia was not overlooked by the Armenian merchants, and the Armenian trade capital established its presence on this hospitable land starting from the end of the 19th century. Even today, over four thousand Armenians live, work and create on the Latvian soil, and they spare no effort to bring Armenia and Latvia closer together and facilitate our contacts.
However, the Armenian-Latvian community is one among many threads linking our two countries. In many ways, Armenia and Latvia resemble each other, and not only in terms of comparability of their size and population. Armenia, just like Latvia, has opted for the European way of development. We adhere to the same values, anchored in the principles of democracy and protection of human rights. Besides, our countries have scarce natural resources and it compels us to be flexible and hardworking, relating our development to the human capital and creativity. All of this can be perhaps appended by our common past and then you get a real picture which gives us strong basis to move forward together. We should spare no effort to enhance direct contacts of our two nations and to make political, economic, cultural and other components of our bilateral relations more substantial.
Personally I have the warmest recollections from the visits to Latvia in my younger years. The Dome Cathedral in Riga, amazing architecture of Riga’s old town, nice and friendly people and finally, deeply enrooted European affiliation are branded not only in mine but also in the memory of many Armenian visitors. I would like to note with great pleasure that later, when I visited Riga as the Minister of Defense of independent Armenia, I saw that your wonderful capital becoming more beautiful by year.
Interest of our two nations toward each other’s culture, arts and literature has a long history. Thanks to the translations of the great son of the Latvia nation and our good friend Maris Chaklais, the Latvia society has been able to familiarize with the Armenian literature. I am glad that our Ministries of Culture can duly appreciate these relations and today they reestablish the best traditions enhancing, thus, cultural contacts.
Mr. President,
In building our relations with Latvia, we take into consideration not only our common past but also our common future. For us, Latvia today is not only a friend but also an important partner in the framework of Armenia-EU cooperation. Armenia is determined to deepen her relations with the European Union and from that point of view we greatly value Latvia’s assistance and readiness to support Armenia’s efforts in merging with the European family of nations. In addition, we view Latvia as an important political as well as economic link between Armenia and EU.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We this emphasis on future, please raise glasses with me for
Generous hosts, the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers and Mrs. Lilita Zatlers,
Bright future of the Armenian and Latvian peoples, and
Armenian-Latvia friendship.
***
Speech of President Serzh Sargsyan at the official dinner hosted by the President of Latvia in honor of the President of Armenia
Mr. President, Mrs. Zatlers,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am greatly touched by the warm reception extended to the delegation of Armenia here, in friendly Latvia. I am here, at the hospitable Latvian land on official visit upon the invitation of my colleague, the President of Latvia Mr. Zatlers. Almost one year ago we had the honor and privilege to host Mr. and Mrs. Zatlers in Armenia. I am confident that these regular high-level visits truly reflect the advanced level of our political dialogue and mutual trust.
Diplomatic relations between our countries have a brief, only a 20 year-long history, however relations between our two nations are not limited by that short period of time. Diplomatic relations and a vibrant political dialogue existing between our two nations witness the realization of the Armenian and Latvian peoples’ dream to live free and independent and mutual assistance for making that reality irreversible.
Historical developments made Armenians known as intermediaries in the contacts between the East and the West, the North and the South. Latvia was not overlooked by the Armenian merchants, and the Armenian trade capital established its presence on this hospitable land starting from the end of the 19th century. Even today, over four thousand Armenians live, work and create on the Latvian soil, and they spare no effort to bring Armenia and Latvia closer together and facilitate our contacts.
However, the Armenian-Latvian community is one among many threads linking our two countries. In many ways, Armenia and Latvia resemble each other, and not only in terms of comparability of their size and population. Armenia, just like Latvia, has opted for the European way of development. We adhere to the same values, anchored in the principles of democracy and protection of human rights. Besides, our countries have scarce natural resources and it compels us to be flexible and hardworking, relating our development to the human capital and creativity. All of this can be perhaps appended by our common past and then you get a real picture which gives us strong basis to move forward together. We should spare no effort to enhance direct contacts of our two nations and to make political, economic, cultural and other components of our bilateral relations more substantial.
Personally I have the warmest recollections from the visits to Latvia in my younger years. The Dome Cathedral in Riga, amazing architecture of Riga’s old town, nice and friendly people and finally, deeply enrooted European affiliation are branded not only in mine but also in the memory of many Armenian visitors. I would like to note with great pleasure that later, when I visited Riga as the Minister of Defense of independent Armenia, I saw that your wonderful capital becoming more beautiful by year.
Interest of our two nations toward each other’s culture, arts and literature has a long history. Thanks to the translations of the great son of the Latvia nation and our good friend Maris Chaklais, the Latvia society has been able to familiarize with the Armenian literature. I am glad that our Ministries of Culture can duly appreciate these relations and today they reestablish the best traditions enhancing, thus, cultural contacts.
Mr. President,
In building our relations with Latvia, we take into consideration not only our common past but also our common future. For us, Latvia today is not only a friend but also an important partner in the framework of Armenia-EU cooperation. Armenia is determined to deepen her relations with the European Union and from that point of view we greatly value Latvia’s assistance and readiness to support Armenia’s efforts in merging with the European family of nations. In addition, we view Latvia as an important political as well as economic link between Armenia and EU.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We this emphasis on future, please raise glasses with me for
Generous hosts, the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers and Mrs. Lilita Zatlers,
Bright future of the Armenian and Latvian peoples, and
Armenian-Latvia friendship.