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On October 27 in the National Assembly Galust Sahakyan received Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, the President of the Pontifical Council for Culture of Vatican. Welcoming the guest, the RA NA President Galust Sahakyan highly assessed his activity aimed at the recognition of the Armenian spiritual culture. The RA NA President emphasized the preservation of the spiritual values and noted that the Mekhitarist Congregation of Italy as a publishing and educational scientific-cultural centre had implemented a mission for the benefit of the Motherland through centuries. The RA NA President attached importance to the cooperation with the Mother See, underlining the Cardinal’s role in the rapprochement of that cooperation. Galust Sahakyan expressed concern about the situation in the Near East and strictly condemned the destruction of the Surp Natatakats/St Martyrs’ Church of Deir Zor.

Touching upon the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide the RA NA President noted that during those days the officials’ presence arriving in Armenia from the whole world would be the most obvious evidence of selfless devotion to all-human values, as the Armenian Genocide was not only a crime against the Armenian people, but also against the whole mankind.

Thanking for the reception Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi has noted that he visits Armenia for the second time and he is impressed by the Armenian culture. He has noted that he highlights the preservation of spiritual and cultural values and even in the issue of preservation of the Armenian khachkars/cross-stones he has applied the leaders of UNESCO.

At the end of the meeting the RA National Assembly President Galust Sahakyan awarded the Medal of Honour of the RA National Assembly to Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi for the significant contribution in the strengthening of friendly relations and cooperation of spiritual-cultural cooperation between the RA and the Mother See.