President Armen Sarkissian met with representatives of the Armenian community of Qatar: being away from the Fatherland doesn’t mean you don’t belong to the Fatherland

President Armen Sarkissian, who is in the State of Qatar on official visit, and Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian met with the representatives of the Armenian community of Qatar.

The President greeted the participants of the meeting and underscored that Armenia already has its embassy in the friendly Qatar which would provide a new quality to the bilateral relations. “This is very important, significant. It is important for our interstate relations because we ensure another, a higher level of relations, and I hope that in the nearest future Qatar too, will open embassy in Armenia,” the President said. “Thus, the relations between the two countries will deepen, strengthen, expand, and I hope that each of you will have an opportunity to chip in to our cooperation in all areas – science, culture, arts, architecture, construction, business life, and politics.”

President Sarkissian noted that Armenia and Qatar have huge potential for developing their relations, and Armenia is interested in the deepening of cooperation. “I have had the opportunity to visit the Foundation of Qatar and meet with the founder. The institution is splendid and impressive. This small country fully realized the importance of education, culture and science and looks toward future. For us, it is good in a sense and is an example of a friendly competitor, because in the 21st century we should bring our contribution not only to our country but to the world culture, science and development of modern technologies - that is the future.”

He noted that any major change taking place in the world right now, creates problems for all but each difficulty is also an opportunity for the nations which have the ability to concentrate, unite and possess a precise plan for moving forward. “I believe, the time has come for us not to divide ourselves into Hayastantsi and Spyurk Armenians. The geographical location, being far away from the Fatherland doesn’t mean we don’t belong to the same Fatherland. Certainly, you live in this country and it is very important that you are good citizens of this country but, at the same time, don’t forget your identity, who you are, where you came from and where you want to go, where you want to take your children,” the President of Armenia underscored. “I expect that we all together will give our potential, energy, skills and knowledge for the success of our country, at the same time, will never forget our identity. It is very significant that every newborn Armenian child becomes the carrier not only of his or her native language but of the history and the culture of our nation. The road we have taken, we will pass it together, hand in hand because there is no other route leading to success and victory.”