Today, President Armen Sarkissian received Vartine Ohanyan, Minister of Youth and Physical Education of Lebanon, Special Envoy of President of Lebanon, General Michel Aoun. At the Armenian Genocide commemoration ceremonies on April 24, Minister Ohanyan represented the President of the Republic of Lebanon in Armenia.
“It is nice to receive the representative of the president of a friendly country, it is more pleasant that she is also an Armenian,” said President Sarkissian.
The Minister conveyed to the President of Armenia the best wishes and letter of the President of Lebanon Michel Aoun.
The letter particularly says: “The Armenian-Lebanese peoples have more than one common denominator, especially in suffering, sacrifice and suffering.
You were killed by the sword, we were killed by famine and blockade, and the criminal is one. In this way, together, for the sake of humanity, we reject falsehood, destruction and concealment of the truth.
Lebanese-Armenian relations have been strengthened especially at the human level, when at the beginning of the last century, during a painful period in history, hundreds of thousands of Armenians, being the target of massacres against the Armenian people, settled in Lebanese lands. They became essential components of our homeland, effectively contributing to its political life, social and cultural development.
Ministers, deputies, doctors, craftsmen, artists, journalists, businessmen, scientists and intellectuals became famous among them. They showed complete allegiance to Lebanon, not giving up their attachment to Armenia, which is closely linked to their blood, religion, culture and history.
The aspirations of our peoples for the establishment of better relations have been embodied in frequent meetings, visits and exchanges of experience, to which is added the continuous coordination of positions and attitudes in international, particularly Asian parliamentary instances in the interests of our peoples, which expresses our support for justice, peace and human rights. At the same time, Lebanon emphasizes the importance of respecting Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Let the world be free from the feelings of the existence of majorities and minorities. We are all dependent on each other and brothers, because together we face common challenges; each of us suffers in their own way from their consequences.”
President Armen Sarkissian expressed his gratitude to the President of Lebanon and the friendly people of Lebanon. “We are grateful that Lebanon is with us today in its efforts to condemn and prevent the crime,” he said. Emphasizing that Lebanon warmly welcomed the Armenians who survived the Genocide and provided an opportunity to live, create, preserve their identity and national image, the Armenian President noted with satisfaction that the grateful Armenians had made a great contribution and continue to have in various spheres of Lebanese life. “They are worthy citizens of Lebanon, and the Minister is the best evidence of that,” said President Sarkissian.
The interlocutors also spoke about the Armenian-Lebanese bilateral relations and the Lebanese-Armenian community at the meeting.
