President Sarkissian hosted the British fire-fighter Paul Burns: Armenia will never forget British support after the earthquake

President Armen Sarkissian hosted the British fire-fighter Paul Burns. Last time he visited Armenia nearly 30 years ago to participate as a fire-fighter in the elimination of the consequences of a devastating earthquake and rescue works.

President Sarkissian recalled the assistance provided by the government of the United Kingdom and its people to Armenia in the wake of the earthquake and noted in particular that that tragic event resonated broadly in the UK.

The President of Armenia said, “Great Britain had provided great support and dispatched rescuers, a group of firemen, and ambulances. Through the donations received by the created here organization Aid Armenia, a school was constructed which was named after Lord Byron, and a hospital. Later, a historic visit of the UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to Armenia took place. These were things Armenia will never forget.”

Paul Burns recalled works conducted together with his fellow fire-fighters in the days following the earthquake and spoke about the impressions of those difficult days.

Using the occasion, President Sarkissian in the person of Paul Burns, whom he knows personally, once again expressed gratitude to the British society and the entire nation.

“I met with Mrs. Thatcher on numerous occasions after she had retired from state service and was working for her Foundation. Every time, we touched on this or that matter, on each point, she would remember her visit to Armenia. The only thing we regretted that she had visited only the regions of Armenia devastated by the earthquake,” President Sarkissian said.

Conveying the words of gratitude to Paul Burn, the President of Armenia said, “We will never forget what you did for Armenia in those difficult days.”

As a memento of gratitude and today’s meeting, President Sarkissian presented to Paul Burns Armenian a commemorative coin on the Armenian carpet making.

“This will also remind that the splendid Armenian art is immortal, regardless of all tragedies – manmade or natural, such as the Genocide or the earthquake,” President Sarkissian said.