President hands Order of Homeland to philanthropist Eduardo Eurnekian

A solemn ceremony of awarding the title of National Hero of Armenia to Argentinean-Armenian philanthropist Eduardo Eurnekian was held today at the Presidential Palace, during which the President of Armenia handed the Order of Homeland to the great benefactor for his patriotic activities aimed at promoting the development and prosperity of Armenia.

Before the ceremony, Serzh Sargsyan received Eduardo Eurnekian and discussed with him new investment programs in Armenia. The great benefactor expressed readiness to continue his activities in that direction. An agreement was reached to submit to the Government a proposal on investment projects in a number of priority areas as soon as they are finalized.

In his congratulatory remarks, the President of the Republic of Armenia evoked the great philanthropist’s career and patriotic initiatives, highly appreciated his activities and expressed confidence that Eduardo Eurnekian would continue in the same spirit and with the same enthusiasm.

“Eduardo Eurnekian needs no special introduction. Not only in Argentina, but also on different continents of the world, Mr. Eurnekian enjoys a great reputation thanks to the extensive work carried out under his leadership. I had the opportunity to personally see it not only during my official trips to Latin America, but also during my meetings with business people and government officials in Europe. Mr. Eurnekian, however, did not limit his efforts to that and, as a true and devoted son of his people he settled in Armenia, expanding his activities here.

As a fleeting reference, I must make a special mention of the fact that the highly talented businessman is also a kind philanthropist, and despite the fact that he does like talking about his charity, though he ought to do so, nevertheless, we are well aware of its extent and implications, and that his benefactions are of continuous nature.

Eduardo Eurnekian came to Armenia and brought along a new business culture that meets the world’s highest standards. I can confess that the government officials visiting Armenia and the representatives of various international organizations have always been positive about the services provided at Zvartnots international airport. It is very important that we have positive feedback from our citizens and anyone visiting Armenia. I think the growth in inbound tourism is also owed to the good work of Zvartnots airport.

But Mr. Eurnekian’s commitments did not limit to the airport; various brands, such as Converse Bank, HayPost, Karas, came to compliment the huge work done at the airport, as well as the large plot of land, developed in accordance with the highest European standards.

This list is of course far from being complete. As I can understand from my frequent conversations and today’s talks with Mr. Eurnekian, we are in for ever new investments. On behalf of the State and the Government of Armenia, I can assure you, Mr. Eurnekian that we stand ready to discuss any investment project since we know that you do not need a special ambiance and, therefore, your investments are welcome in many countries. So we understand very well and realize that it is not just business, but in parallel, it should be seen as a business undertaking to set an example for others

Mr. Eurnekian,
Dear Compatriots,

It is highly emblematic that we are awarding the title of National Hero of Armenia to Eduardo Eurnekian. Yes, we are convinced that promoting Armenia’s prosperity is nothing less but heroism. Yes, mutually beneficial relationship can be established between Diaspora entrepreneurs and the Armenian State, and our partnership with Mr. Eurnekian is just one example.

I am confident that together with Mr. Eurnekian, we have built up the best possible cooperation, and it should truly set an example for many Diaspora Armenians.

At a meeting with young servicemen, I once said that the true commander should not call “Forward,” instead he must say “Follow me.”

Now, Mr. Eurnekian is not urging others to invest in charities in Armenia, but he is just showing by personal example how to do it. I am convinced that as a pioneer, Mr. Eurnekian will carry on his activities with the same commitment for many years ahead.

I cordially congratulate you, Mr. Eurnekian, on being awarded the title of Hero of the Republic of Armenia. I think this is a very important event both for Armenia and our people. I am confident that it is also an important event for you personally, because there is no greater appreciation than the highest title of a State. I am convinced that a brilliant future awaits our people as it boasts many talented sons. So, glory to our people and glory to our heroes,” the President of the Republic of Armenia said.

Eduardo Eurnekian considered it a great honor for him to be the recipient of Homeland’s highest State award, He thanked the President of the Republic of Armenia, emphasizing that he accepted it with a sense of great responsibility and as the humble servant of his people.

“Your Excellency President Serzh Sargsyan,
Your Holiness Karekin II,
Your Excellency Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan,
Distinguished members of the government of the Republic of Armenia
Members of the Parliament,
Mr.Ambassadors
Dear friends and family,

Mr. President, thank you for your kind words. It is, indeed, a great honuor to be here today to receive the National Hero medal you have bestowed upon me.

I accept it with great and enormous humility and a great sense of responsibility.
The memory of my dear parents and my older brother comes to life today to me.

As you know, Antranik, my brother a medical doctor, joined his brave compatriots, like you, Mr. President, to defend our ancestral lands of Artsakh.

I share this honour with them, because it is the spirit of patriotism, sacrifice and service, which I have inherited, that commits me to stand by Armenia, a nation that has given so much to us throughout many centuries.

As an Argentine citizen of Armenian origin I feel that it is my duty to accompany all the real heroes that day by day are making this nation great, fulfilling the vision of our ancestors and building the country of today and tomorrow. My gratitude and admiration to them all and to my Argentine-Armenian friends that are doing so much for this nation.

May this medal be a homage to all those above mentioned and a heritage to generations to come. To all of them, thank you very much and I have true honors of the people and the people that every day are working to the future of Armenia. They are the real heroes of this moment.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thanks to all of you,” Mr. Eurnekian said
During the ceremony of awarding Eduardo Eurnekian with the highest State title of the Republic of Armenia, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians offered warmest congratulations and pontifical blessings to the outstanding son of the Armenian people.

“We are pleased to attend this ceremonious event of awarding the title of National Hero of Armenia by the President of the Republic of Armenia to Eduardo Eurnekian, the highly honest son of our nation and our Holy Church.

The award is a well-deserved appreciation of the great philanthropist’s many contributions and services to public life, which are the abundant fruit of his pious soul and fervent patriotism.

Glory and thanks to Almighty God, who bestows upon our people children who dedicate their lives to the service of their native people and the Homeland.

Like many Diaspora Armenians, Eduardo Eurnekian could not remain indifferent to the problems and challenges facing the Homeland, and from the very outset of the independent statehood, he brought his support to Armenia and Artsakh with honest commitment. Those large-scale projects implemented through his philanthropy are a valuable contribution to the development of our country’s economy, as well as significant support for education and culture.

We also express our satisfaction with the fact that Mr. Eduardo Eurnekian supports the mission of our Church, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin by means of his great contribution to the spiritual enrichment of our lives. His blessed accomplishments that have been strengthening and bettering our homeland, building national-ecclesiastical life, wrote glorious chapters in our nation’s modern history.

We would also like to note that being a great support for all of us, the dedication of our nation’s charitable children; their patriotic undertakings are setting a vivid example for the rising generations. Let it be always and may the Almighty Lord give our children eternal grace to the godliness, the love of the Father, the responsibility and the spirit of zeal, and to be proud of our noble deeds.

On this glorious occasion, we extend our warmest greetings to you, Mr. Edunekyan and wish you good health and every success in the noble initiatives and deeds accomplished by the Eurnekian benevolent dynasty.

We offer our pontifical blessing and appreciation to you, Honorable President for giving high State awards to those Armenians who have rendered exceptional services in the national domain.

We pray to God for keeping our homeland in peace and blessing our people’s efforts for the sake of the Armenian life’s development and brightness in the world,” the Catholicos of All Armenians said.