President Sarkissian is ready to continue his assistance: Chamonix has decided to deepen cooperation with Dilijan

During his working visit to Tavoush marz, President Armen Sarkissian visited today Dilijan City Hall, met with the governor Haik Chobanian and Mayor Armen Santrossian. The President informed that French Chamonix town, where the prestigious Summit of Minds is held traditionally, has expressed wish to establish deeper friendly relations with Dilijan.

“Only days ago, I have been informed that Chamonix City Hall wants to establish friendly relations with Dilijan. The first step was made, of course, when the world-famous Summit of Minds, which is being held in Chamonix each year, now acquired a sister summit which will be held each year in Dilijan. The founders of the Summit agreed to give us their brand and cooperate with us. The Summit is held each fall in Chamonix, while we’ve decided to hold it in Armenia in late spring or early summer,” the President said and added, “Now I have even better news for you: Chamonix City Hall has decided to deepen cooperation with Dilijan. Chamonix is an interesting town, a classical example of how a small town can achieve great success.”

He noted that Chamonix, which is smaller than Dilijan, has a population of only 10 thousand people, each year receives 5 million tourists which come for skiing as well as cultural and conference events. “It is almost as beautiful as Dilijan. It’s an interesting town, located 1000-4000 meters above the sea level. An old town, like Dilijan. A proposal was made for representatives of Dilijan to visit Chamonix soon and discuss areas of cooperation. So, I congratulate you, wish every success and pass you the program. I will continue to assist you. I hope that this cooperation will serve the marz, the town, and Armenia. If the small Chamonix can receive 5 million tourists, why Dilijan cannot receive at least one million?”

The governor of Tavoush Haik Chobanian thanked the President for the initiative. “Thank you for this gift because we are positioning Dilijan as a town of intellectual, quality life, and tourism where the main topics are education, culture, science, and innovations. What you said, I believe, from the viewpoint of development of sister-town is a very important milestone for Dilijan. This is also an excellent news for our residents,” the governor said.

Mayor Armen Santrossian noted that Dilijan has a great experience of cooperation in the sister-towns format. “We have similar experience with several towns but in this format, when the President brings his mediation, has never been done before and for us it is more compelling: We need to manifest a more serious approach and achieve serious results,” the mayor of Dilijan said.

President Sarkissian welcomed the steps taken by the regional and municipal authorities which are aimed at restoring Dilijan’s fame as a cultural and touristic hub. “Dilijan has always been an old, beautiful town with traditions, which, although small, has always had urban culture. I believe for all of us, it is very important to have a clear vision for the region’s and town’s development, otherwise even the best of ideas will be unsuccessful, fall flat if not managed properly, according to a precise plan, with the exact knowledge of where we are going,” the President said and added that Dilijan should be a cultural, intellectual, and touristic town. “I will be glad to bring my contribution to that vision, design, and implementation of the program,” the President underscored.

He expressed confidence that cooperation with Chamonix would be efficient. The French side has already expressed readiness to host in the nearest future a delegation of the Armenian entrepreneurs. “I urge to do it as soon as possible so that this cooperation gets blood and flesh quickly,” President Sarkissian added.

He said that was planning to visit the region soon again. “It’s a great pleasure for me because I am rediscovering Armenia again. Visits to different regions of Armenia fill me with great vigor and give positive impulses. And I want to urge all our compatriots to do the same, to know better our Fatherland.”