In Lebanon, Serzh Sargsyan visited the Haykazian University

President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in Lebanon on official visit, today visited the Haykazian University where he met with the faculty and students of international studies of four leading universities of Lebanon – Haykazian, American University of Beirut, American University of Lebanon and Saint Joseph University. The President made a statement and answered questions of the students.

“To be hosted in the only Armenian university outside Armenia and make a statement is a particular feeling – warm and compelling. The very fact that the only higher education institution in Spyurk is located in Lebanon, testifies to the exceptional friendship of Armenia and Lebanon. It is pleasing that being a university outside Armenia, Haykazian seminary has become an educational center not only for us, Armenians but for the representatives of all nations and confessions which is a vivid evidence of the devotion of the founders of the University to the universal human values. It is particularly pleasing that present at this beautiful hall of the Haykazian seminary in Beirut are also professors and students from the leading universities of Lebanon - American University of Beirut, American University of Lebanon and Saint Joseph University,” President Serzh Sargsyan said.

At the meeting with the faculty and students, the President of Armenia spoke about the mission of the Armenian and Lebanese youth to carry on with the inherited traditions of the Armenian-Lebanese friendship, making it even stronger, invigorating contacts. He spoke about the priorities on Armenia’s foreign policy agenda, including the NK peace process, Armenia’s position on regional problems and challenges, current stage of the Armenian-Turkish relations, complex situation in the Middle East and its resolution.

Serzh Sargsyan presented also to the participants of the meeting Armenia’s economic development, introduced reforms, and programs implemented in a number of prospective areas.

Speaking about the centuries-long Armenian-Lebanese relations, which since Armenia’s independence twenty years ago have been highlighted by all political forces of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan underscored that the Armenians and Lebanese have been and remain those peoples of the region which have obtained the world’s respect and admiration not through bellicose spirit or animosity but through peace, vitality and diligence.

“The world-spread Armenian nation is eternally grateful to its Arab brothers, peoples of Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Iraq, who didn’t tolerate a crime against humanity and gave shelter to the Armenian refugees who had narrowly escaped bloodbath perpetrated by the Ottoman authorities.

Another proof of sincerity and durability of our friendship is the principled position of the authorities, Parliament, and people of Lebanon. Today, Lebanon is the only country in the Middle East whose legislative body has adopted two resolutions condemning the Armenian Genocide,” President Serzh Sargsyan said.

In his statement, President Sargsyan underlined that the authorities of Armenia are hopeful that very soon peace will come to the Arab world and people will have the opportunity to take the road of sustainable development. According to the President, Armenia supports peaceful implementation of the changes, without losses and terror.

Noting that security of the South Caucasus and Middle East are tightly interconnected, President Sargsyan told the students, “The people of Nagorno Karabakh never submitted and constantly rose up against the illegal decision of the Soviet authorities of forced attachment to Azerbaijan. After the collapse of the USSR, the attempts of the Azeri authorities to crash with brutal force the will of people of Artsakh to live free met the adequate response. Negotiations have been going on for almost two decades now; however til now we don’t have a peace agreement because of one reason – Azerbaijan is not ready to the solution based on the concessions, while petrodollars have turned their heads and created fantasies on the possibility of the military solution of the problem.

For years, the Azerbaijani authorities have been enticing the arms race, rejecting any confidence building measure, trying to constantly maintain tension on the line of contact, rejecting cooperation and any offer of a dialogue, wasting millions in the process. This is a real threat, which further exacerbates already explosive situation in the region, dispelling opportunities of dialogue and peace.”

Serzh Sargsyan underscored that regardless of all mentioned above, Armenia is committed to the peaceful resolution of the issue, since we do realize that a war would be a disaster not only for the nations involved but also for the entire region and with this regard we hail Lebanon’s balanced position on the NK conflict.

The President spoke also about the process of the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, about the approaching 100th anniversary of the Genocide and said that crimes perpetrated against our people are still to get their due assessment. The civilized world, according to Serzh Sargsyan, has yet to have its say on this matter.

Stressing that conflicts and confrontations undermine stability in our region, hinder peaceful coexistence, natural development and prospects of prosperous life, the President of Armenia noted that Armenia is doing its best to secure safe and protected future for its generations, believing that sustainable development is achievable through education and peaceful coexistence.