|
||
 |
1 / 14 |  |
On October 14 in Brussels the RA NA President Hovik Abrahamyan took part in the Armenian Cultural Centre of Belgium in the opening ceremony of the Third Congress of the Armenians of Europe, where over 170 delegates from about 20 countries had arrived.
Welcoming the attendees the RA NA President said:
“Let me express words of gratitude in the name of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia and personally me to all the Armenian communities and organizations of Europe for their activities devoted to the Motherland.
It is genuinely, great honour for me today to be present and address the participants of the Congress, for which I thank the Hay Dat/Armenian Cause Brussels Office for organizing this important event and sending me the invitation.
As for any country, moreover for the Republic of Armenia the problems concerning the national security are deemed prior, especially taking into account our geo-political position, the blockade going on for more than two decades, the complications occurred as a consequence of them, as well as the aggressive manifestations and bellicose announcements of our two direct neigbbours. Today, Azerbaijan also continues to get armed and keep the whole region in tension with its deconstructive posture, with that impeding the efforts made by the OSCE Minsk Group aimed at the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Moreover, the encouragement of Armenophobia in Azerbaijan has become the main goal of the state campaign.
All that makes us more sensitive towards our external threats and the strained political situation obligates us to undertake urgent steps for ensuring the military security of the country and the people. It is understandable that those steps are also directly connected with the energy and economic security of Armenia. This is the dictate of the day.
However, our people do not build the future with one-day dictate. Besides, the problems of ensuring the stability and security in the military, energy and economic spheres are not not less important as the political, ideological and spiritual-cultural directions, which are based on common value system, and firmly connect with Europe. Today, the democratic wide scale reforms implementing Armenia and Artsakh serve as bright evidence. I would like to especially stress that it is not an obligated demand to us, but it is the conscientious choice of the people and the authorities.
And today this circumstance is the main pledge of the rapprochement of Armenia with the European Union. The official, as well as the parliamentary diplomatic efforts are aimed at it. The steps taken by the Republic of Armenia will be complete in this direction without the efforts of all Armenians. I fully hope that comparing with our potential we will record success in achieving our fair goals and fighting for fulfilling the national desires.
Not long ago as a result of the rise of the national awakening and the victory of the Armenian people in the war forced to us the Nagorno Karabakh gained its independence. It became possible due to the unity of all Armenians and remaining faithful to the behest given to us by our ancestors for living free and independent and building ourselves our destiny. Today we are proud that in our region two Armenian states exist – the Republic of Armenia and Republic of Nagorno Karabakh.
Dear compatriots,
Today, due to your zealous work for the benefit of the nation numerous European deputies arriving in Armenia, who represent their national parliaments, also visit Artsakh and witness the successes of the Artsakh people and get convinced that the people of Nagorno Karabakh have the right not only to self-determination, but also for independent statehood. It has earned that right. I believe in the NKR President Bako Sahakyan, I believe in the NKR people, and I am sure that the people of Artsakh have defended and are ready to defend its Motherland in future.
Irrespective of tactical and other character of disagreements the unity of all political forces of Armenia, Artsakh and Diaspora in foreign political field is especially highlighted today, on the threshold of the 100th anniversary of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, as our unity is the most important warrant of achieving the full international recognition of the Armneian Genocide and restoring the historical justice.
The unity of all sectors of the Armenian people is highlighted today more than ever, as the Turkish Government continues its denial policy in recognition of the Armenian Genocide, which is observed by the international progressive community as double genocide. However, in the world policy more and more is strengthened the idea that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, first of all by Turkey, may result in the establishment of the regional stability and formation of an atmosphere of mutual trust. I am convinced that due to our united efforts we will achieve our national goals.
Once again I welcome the participants of the Congress and wish them fruitful work.”
The NKR President Bako Sahakyan, the Supreme Patriarch Aram I, Catholicos of Great House of Cilicia, the Chairman of the Hay Dat/Armenian Cause Office of Europe Gaspar Karapetyan, the Coordinator of the ARF Armenian Cause Committees Hakob Ter-Khachatryan welcomed the participants of the Congress.
In Brussels the RA NA President Hovik Abrahamyan visited the Central Office of the European People’s Party (EPP) and left a note in the Book of Commemoration opened on the occasion of the death of the EPP President Wilfried Martens.
On the same day the RA NA President Hovik Abrahamyan visited the Armenian Church of Brussels, laid a wreath at the cross stone eternalizing the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims.
