Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Israel Armen Smbatyan gave an interview to Globus newspaper during which he presented his vision for the joint future-oriented actions of Israel and Armenia.

Smbatyan stated that the interstate relations between Israel and Armenia are just beginning.

“This obviously doesn’t mean that the Armenians and Jews have met for the first time. All Armenians of the world know that Jewish diplomats, lawyers and writers were the first to define the concept of genocide and then made the whole world and all mankind fully understand the real, anti-civilizational and barbaric nature of this tragedy,” he stated.

In this regard, Smbatyan particularly mentioned prominent philanthropists and intellectuals, including Morgenthau, Mandelstam, Lemkin and Werfel.

According to the Ambassador, the 70 years of harmonious and successful development of the State of Israel unquestionably serve as a major determinant for the Republic of Armenia. Smbatyan also emphasized that he has asked himself what can be a starting point for Israel and Armenia to start taking future-oriented actions that encompass interstate relations and realized that there is no alternative to humanitarian projects and interactions, which serve as a driving force and a catalyst for initiating and ensuring sustainable, irreversible, fruitful and comprehensive cooperation between countries and nations in the 21^st century.

Smbatyan also stated that the opening of the Embassy of Armenia in Israel right now affirms the existence of complications that existed in the past and were overcome through sincere and respectful dialogue.

In February 2020, President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian signed an order to appoint an Ambassador of Armenia to Israel.