PRESIDENT SARGSYAN RECEIVED THE TRUSTEE OF THE LONDON OFFICE OF THE CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
armradio.am
14.10.2009 10:59
The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan received today the Trustee of
the London office of the Calouste Gulbenkian charitable Foundation,
the Head of the Foundation’s branch in the Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, a great grandson of the great benefactor CalousteGulbenkian,
Martin Essayan and the Head of the Armenian Office of the Foundation,
Zaven Ekavian, President’s Press Office reported.
Cordially welcoming Mr. Essayan’s visit to Armenia, President
Serzh Sargsyan expressed gratitude for the years-long commitment
and dedicated work. "We highly appreciate the activities of the
Gulbenkian Foundation, which I undoubtedly know very well. We
appreciate activities of the Foundation not only within Armenia,
but also championing of our interests worldwide, and activities
aimed at the preservation of the Armenian identity," the President
of Armenia stressed and added, "We attached greatest importance to
the educational program of the Foundation, which concurs with our
vision for Armenia’s development. Recently, we have established Luys
Foundation in Armenia, which provides scholarships to the Armenian
students who got admitted to the top ten Universities of the world,
and I believe on that issue we have a large area for cooperation."
By the September 17 decree of the President of Armenia, on the
occasion of the 18th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, for
extensive pro-Armenian activities, as well as for the significant
contribution in the cultural area, the Head of the Armenian Office
of Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Zaven Ekavian was awarded with the
Saint Mesrop Mashtots medal.
Today, the President of Armenia handed the award to the
recipient. Zaven Ekavian accepted it with gratitude and expressed
confidence that efficient cooperation would continue. He also hailed
the creation of the Ministry for Diaspora Affairs. Serzh Sargsyan
noted among the priority tasks of the Ministry the preservation of
the Armenian identity, repatriation of Armenians, and efficient and
purposeful utilization of the Armenian potential.
The parties discussed issues pertinent to the preservation of the
Armenian identity, deepening of Armenia-Spyurk relations, and the
Armenian-Turkish dialogue.
Martin Essayan and Zaven Ekavian expressed their support for the
President’s efforts aimed at the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish
relations.