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09
12, 2011
President Serzh Sargsyan gave an official dinner in honor of the President of the Republic of Lebanon
President Serzh Sargsyan and Mrs. Rita Sargsyan gave today an official dinner in honor of the President of the Republic of Lebanon and Mrs. Wafaa Suleiman who are in Armenia on official visit.
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Toast by President Serzh Sargsyan at the official dinner in honor of the President of the Republic of Lebanon Michel Suleiman
Mr. President and Mrs. Suleiman,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I cordially welcome the leader of friendly Lebanon, First Lady of Lebanon and all our guests to Armenia. We are happy to enjoy this beautiful evening together with you in a warm and nice milieu. Although, we have met with Mr. Suleiman many times, this is his first visit to the motherland of Armenians and we are saying him welcome. It is especially symbolic that the visit of the President of Lebanon is taking place this year when Armenia is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its independence. Twenty years ago, Armenians reestablished their independence and once again became members of the large international family. It also gave us, Armenians, the opportunity to establish qualitatively new interstate relations with the friendly states, including Lebanon, even though relations of our two nations date back centuries.
According to the ancient Roman historians, back in IV-III centuries BC Armenian merchants were delivering to the markets of Sidon and Tyre wine, fruits, cochineal, while in I century BC, in the reign of King Tigran the Great resettlements and contacts had become even more active.
Armenian communities started to shape in the Lebanese towns after the invasion of the Seljuk tribes and the breakup of the Armenian Cilicia kingdom. The first Armenian Catholics, who was officially acknowledged by the Pope, established his residence 260 years ago in Lebanon.
Impregnable mountains of Lebanon attracted the freedom seekers in the Ottoman Empire, among them also Armenians. They had had their invaluable role in the fight for the liberation of Lebanon from the Ottoman Empire. And in the most critical period of our history, for many Lebanon became a beacon of salvation, when tens thousands of the Armenians, who had managed to escaped the Armenian Genocide, found a safe heaven in hospitable Lebanon.
Free political, economic and cultural atmosphere reigning in your country, allowed the large Armenian community to fully integrate into Lebanon’s social life and bring their active participation to the development and prosperity of Lebanon, and at the same time to uphold their national identity. It is no accident that some of the largest Armenian spiritual, cultural and educational centers were formed in Lebanon, playing an important role in the preservation of the Armenian identity in the 20th century.
One of the Alters of the Armenia-based Apostolic Saint Church - the Catholicate of the Great House of Cilicia is situated in Lebanon, center of all Armenian Catholics the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate is here, as well as centers and institutions of the Armenian Spyurk such as Haigazian University – the only higher education establishment in Diaspora recognized by the state, Hamazgayin Cultural Union, Armenian General Athletic Union, Armenia Sport Center and others.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Armenian-Lebanese ties and relations are based on solid and deep-rooted pillars; these relations have always been friendly and warm at all levels. It has been said on many occasions that the Armenian and Lebanese peoples are more than just friends; relations between our two peoples have been brotherly through the centuries. Beirut, Bourj Hammoud, Anjar are everyone’s heart. We have always sincerely and cordially shared joys of the people of Lebanon and are ready to support and stand by this friendly nation in difficult times. It has been proved by the events of the past and modern history. We are not neighboring states, however as once the great son of the Lebanese nation and friend of the Armenian people writer Jibran Khalil Girban, whose monument is installed in one of Yerevan central squares, said “Sometimes a distant friend is closer than the one next to you.” All this is vividly proved today by our active political dialogue, versatile contacts and multifaceted cooperation which is manifested at the state as well as popular level. Our long-term cooperation on the bilateral as well as multilateral levels confirms that we have stable, mutually beneficial and harmonious relations. The Armenian-Lebanese community is a constantly reliable bridge which works for the preservation and incessant development of the relations between the two friendly states and peoples.
I can state with confidence that having this kind of rich and multifaceted foundation of our relations, we are obligated to preserve and deepen our cooperation in all areas.
Dear Mr. President, taking this opportunity I once again cordially welcome you to Armenia. I am certain that the agreements reached over the issues we have been discussing these days will be implemented consistently for the eternal ages-long friendship of our two nations.
Allow me to propose a toast to the President of the Republic of Lebanon and Mrs. Suleiman wishing them good health, success and all the best, and wish the people of Lebanon – peace, stability and further prosperity.
***
Toast by President Serzh Sargsyan at the official dinner in honor of the President of the Republic of Lebanon Michel Suleiman
Mr. President and Mrs. Suleiman,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I cordially welcome the leader of friendly Lebanon, First Lady of Lebanon and all our guests to Armenia. We are happy to enjoy this beautiful evening together with you in a warm and nice milieu. Although, we have met with Mr. Suleiman many times, this is his first visit to the motherland of Armenians and we are saying him welcome. It is especially symbolic that the visit of the President of Lebanon is taking place this year when Armenia is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its independence. Twenty years ago, Armenians reestablished their independence and once again became members of the large international family. It also gave us, Armenians, the opportunity to establish qualitatively new interstate relations with the friendly states, including Lebanon, even though relations of our two nations date back centuries.
According to the ancient Roman historians, back in IV-III centuries BC Armenian merchants were delivering to the markets of Sidon and Tyre wine, fruits, cochineal, while in I century BC, in the reign of King Tigran the Great resettlements and contacts had become even more active.
Armenian communities started to shape in the Lebanese towns after the invasion of the Seljuk tribes and the breakup of the Armenian Cilicia kingdom. The first Armenian Catholics, who was officially acknowledged by the Pope, established his residence 260 years ago in Lebanon.
Impregnable mountains of Lebanon attracted the freedom seekers in the Ottoman Empire, among them also Armenians. They had had their invaluable role in the fight for the liberation of Lebanon from the Ottoman Empire. And in the most critical period of our history, for many Lebanon became a beacon of salvation, when tens thousands of the Armenians, who had managed to escaped the Armenian Genocide, found a safe heaven in hospitable Lebanon.
Free political, economic and cultural atmosphere reigning in your country, allowed the large Armenian community to fully integrate into Lebanon’s social life and bring their active participation to the development and prosperity of Lebanon, and at the same time to uphold their national identity. It is no accident that some of the largest Armenian spiritual, cultural and educational centers were formed in Lebanon, playing an important role in the preservation of the Armenian identity in the 20th century.
One of the Alters of the Armenia-based Apostolic Saint Church - the Catholicate of the Great House of Cilicia is situated in Lebanon, center of all Armenian Catholics the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate is here, as well as centers and institutions of the Armenian Spyurk such as Haigazian University – the only higher education establishment in Diaspora recognized by the state, Hamazgayin Cultural Union, Armenian General Athletic Union, Armenia Sport Center and others.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Armenian-Lebanese ties and relations are based on solid and deep-rooted pillars; these relations have always been friendly and warm at all levels. It has been said on many occasions that the Armenian and Lebanese peoples are more than just friends; relations between our two peoples have been brotherly through the centuries. Beirut, Bourj Hammoud, Anjar are everyone’s heart. We have always sincerely and cordially shared joys of the people of Lebanon and are ready to support and stand by this friendly nation in difficult times. It has been proved by the events of the past and modern history. We are not neighboring states, however as once the great son of the Lebanese nation and friend of the Armenian people writer Jibran Khalil Girban, whose monument is installed in one of Yerevan central squares, said “Sometimes a distant friend is closer than the one next to you.” All this is vividly proved today by our active political dialogue, versatile contacts and multifaceted cooperation which is manifested at the state as well as popular level. Our long-term cooperation on the bilateral as well as multilateral levels confirms that we have stable, mutually beneficial and harmonious relations. The Armenian-Lebanese community is a constantly reliable bridge which works for the preservation and incessant development of the relations between the two friendly states and peoples.
I can state with confidence that having this kind of rich and multifaceted foundation of our relations, we are obligated to preserve and deepen our cooperation in all areas.
Dear Mr. President, taking this opportunity I once again cordially welcome you to Armenia. I am certain that the agreements reached over the issues we have been discussing these days will be implemented consistently for the eternal ages-long friendship of our two nations.
Allow me to propose a toast to the President of the Republic of Lebanon and Mrs. Suleiman wishing them good health, success and all the best, and wish the people of Lebanon – peace, stability and further prosperity.