15TH SITTING OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN INTERPARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION HELD IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan

Dec 5, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The 15th sitting of the
Interparliamentary Commission on cooperation between the RA
National Assembly and RF Federal Assembly took place on December 5 in
Yerevan. The issue of commission members’ participation in the events
dedicated to Spitak earthquake’s 20th anniversary was discussed at
the sitting. According to commission’s Russian Co-chairman Nikolay
Rizhkov, the Russian people, who was one of the first ones to come to
help those who suffered from the earthquake, remembers those tragic
days up to the present and honors the memory of earthquake victims.

Lyudmila Sliska, the RF State Duma Vice-Chairwoman, read the address of
State Duma Chairman Boris Gryzlov mentioning that the 1988 earthquake
is one of the most dramatic events in Armenia’s history.

The two countries’ parliamentarians will visit Gyumri on December 7,
where they will take part in the unveiling ceremony of a monument
to Innocent Victims, Merciful Hearts. As N. Rizhkov mentioned, the
monument has been created with the funds of the Armenian community
of Russia, and the author is renowned Russian sculptor, emigrant from
Gyumri Fridrich Soghoyan.

Monument’s model was handed to NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamian and
Interparliamentary Commission’s Co-chairman Aram Safarian.

The RA NA Speaker awarded a Medal of Honor to N. Rizhkov for his great
contribution to development of friendship between the peoples. He
said that the destructive earthquake of 1988 was a great tragedy
for Armenia, the whole world came to help Armenia, and Armenia with
respect and gratitude remembers representatives of all countries,
including Russia. According to him, for the great assistance provided
in those hard days Nikolay Rizhkov’s name is imprinted in Armenian
people’s heart for ever.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress