Working visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to the United Nations

President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in the United States on a working visit, on September 23 arrived to Ellis Island where he visited the Museum of Immigration, viewed exhibition dedicated to the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and to the Armenians who had survived the Genocide and immigrated to the United States through the Ellis Island.

On the Island, the President was welcomed and accompanied by the President of the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) Nasser Kazemini, members of the NECO Board, representatives of the Armenian-American community.

President of NECO Nasser Kazemini awarded President Serzh Sargsyan with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his input in the development of the US-Armenia relations, his dedication to the preservation of peace in the South Caucasus as well as for the activities aimed at the efficient integration of immigrants in Armenia. It was noted that during twenty-five years of the medal history, President Serzh Sargsyan is the first foreign leader who’s been honored with this award. Among over one thousand individuals awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, there are six Presidents of the United States, a dozen of State Secretaries, senators, congressmen, Noble prize winners, artists and businessmen.

Noting that the visit of the RA President is a historic event, particularly when Armenia is celebrating the 20th anniversary of independence, Nasser Kazemini said, “He is a man, who has been struggling for his country, whose vision of a free and prosperous Armenia enjoys support of the American government and world governments. And most importantly, he has engaged in a dialogue of peace and tolerance with the neighbors, bringing his nation closely to peace. Mr. President, because of all that you have done for your country and for the Armenian-American relations, history will remember you with great respect.”

The President of Armenia expressed gratitude for the honor and noted, “Today, I am touched and proud to receive this Medal of Honor, also on behalf of the Armenians and their generations who had passed through the Ellis Island. I accept it as a token of appreciation of success that our people achieved on these distant shores, as a symbol of further development and deepening of the Armenian-American friendship and partnership.”

(The full text of the President’s speech on receiving the NECO Medal of Honor is presented in the News portal of the website)

After the award ceremony the NECO President Nasser Kazemini hosted a reception in honor of President Serzh Sargsyan.




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On 23 September, President Serzh Sargsyan delivered a speech at the 66th session of the UN General Assembly.

(The full text of the Presidential speech at the 66th session of the UN General Assembly can be found in the Speeches portal of the website)



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In New York, on September 23 President Serzh Sargsyan had a working dinner with the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Armenian Assembly of America Hrair Hovnanian and members of the Board.

Later same day, President Sargsyan held meetings with the President of the General Assembly Nasir Abdulaziz al Nasser and Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon.

President Serzh Sargsyan congratulated Nasir Abdulaziz al Nasser on his election as President of the 66th session of the General Assembly. The parties highlighted the importance of the agenda of the current GA session. The President of Armenia spoke, in particular, about the importance of the agenda item introduced by Nasir Abdulaziz al Nasser – Prevention and Resolution of the Conflicts through Mediation, which concurs with the principles adopted by the Republic of Armenia regarding peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Noting that the extensive agenda of this session of the General Assembly reflects problems and challenges of our time, Serzh Sargsyan wished success to the session under the chairmanship of Nasir Abdulaziz al Nasser.

At the meeting with the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Serzh Sargsyan took the opportunity to once again congratulate him on his reelection as Secretary General of the United Nations and wished success. The President of Armenia noted that Armenia takes active participation in the works conducted in the framework of this global organization and efficiently cooperates with numerous UN structures. The parties stressed the role of the United Nations in maintaining peace, stability and security in the world. They also discussed some regional issues.

In the evening, the RA Permanent Representation to the United Nations, Embassy of Armenia to the US and Armenian-American organizations held reception in the honor of the 20th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Armenia and visit of President Serzh Sargsyan. At the reception, President Sargsyan delivered a speech.

(The full text of the speech by President Serzh Sargsyan at the reception held by the RA Permanent Representation to the United Nations, Embassy of Armenia to the US and Armenian-American organizations can be found in the Speeches portal of the website)



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By the Presidential decrees, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence a group of individuals from Spyurk, Embassy of Armenia to the United States and Permanent Representation of Armenia to the United Nations were awarded RA medals and orders. President Sargsyan handed high state awards during the reception.

For significant contribution to the promotion of national interests and boundless dedication, services provided to the Republic of Armenia, long term devoted and productive work, the President of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) Perj Sedrakian (USA) was awarded the Order of Honor.

For the considerable input in the preservation of the Armenian identity, services provided to the Republic of Armenia, and for the promotion of friendship between the Republic of Armenia and foreign states, the President of the Armenian-American Health Center, benefactor Rita Balian (USA) was awarded the Mkhitar Heratsi medal.

For the long term service in the Armenian Apostolic Saint Church, significant contribution to the preservation of national spiritual values Ter Khajak Archbishop Parsamian, Spiritual Leader of the US Eastern Diocese was awarded the second degree medal For Services Provided to Motherland.

For the significant achievements in the diplomatic area, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the United States Tatul Markarian and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations Karen Nazarian were awarded Mkhitar Gosh medals.



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President Serzh Sargyan, who is in the United States on a working visit, on September 24 arrived to Los Angeles.

On the first day of his visit, in Montebello President Serzh Sargsyan laid a wreath at the Memorial dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide and planted a tree in the Remembrance Alley.

On September 25, President Sargsyan participated at the opening of the economic forum organized by the Central Bank of Armenia and Association of Armenian Banks which was attended by the representatives of business communities of Armenia and California. In his address, Serzh Sargsyan stressed the importance of a full realization of the Diaspora potential for the benefit of economic development of Armenia and empowerment of our country. He also noted that in the last twenty years potential of the citizens of Armenia has not been fully realized either. According to the President, since Armenia’s independence there have been achievements as well as failings. To speak about failings only, according to the President, means to shift responsibility to some else. “We are responsible for the failings as well as for the achievements,” President Sargsyan said. The President of Armenia said that if potential is used in its entirety we, without doubt, will have many more achievements.

Serzh Sargsyan thanked businessmen from Spyurk for their activities in the last twenty years aimed at the empowerment of Motherland. “I am hopeful that through our joint efforts in the nearest future we will have a country which will make us all proud,” President Sargsyan noted.

In the newly constructed Saint Ghevondiats Church in Los Angeles, President Sargsyan attended liturgy, which was jointly served by the Leader of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Hovnan Archbishop Terterian and Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Catholicosate the Great House of Cilicia Mushegh Archbishop Mardirossian. Later, at the adjacent center there took place a reception during which the President of Armenia met with the representatives of the Church Council and Armenian benefactors from the West coast of the United States. Same day, Serzh Sargsyan participated at the opening ceremony of Ameria Group representation in the US.

In Los Angeles, President Serzh Sargsyan attended also the ceremony of inauguration of the new building of the RA Consulate General. Serzh Sargsyan expressed confidence that all our compatriots residing on the West Coast of the United States would definitely find the opportunity to visit the Consulate at least once. “I urge you all who live in this part of the United States to visit this place. I urge those you like the authorities, as well as those who dislike them because many things are passing, liked or disliked authorities are passing while Motherland is eternal and this building is a link with Motherland. Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank the United States which at the most difficult times provided opportunities for our people to enter the US, provide opportunities to live decently, develop, integrate into the society of this great country, making their own historical land more recognizable. We are proud of you and will do our best to make you proud of us too,” President Sargsyan said, expressing gratitude to the local authorities.

In the evening of September 25, in Los Angeles President Serzh Sargsyan participated at the reception dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence and delivered welcoming remarks.

(The full text of the address by the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in Los Angeles at the reception dedicated to the 20th anniversary of independence is presented in the Statements portal of the website)

Before that, the President of Armenia met with the world-famous singer Placido Domingo. Maestro told President Sargsyan that he had very warm recollections of his visit to and concert in Yerevan and equally warm feelings toward Armenia and Armenians also because he has many Armenian friends all over the world. Domingo noted that he would like one day to return to Armenia because he fell in love with our country and highly values warm attitude he received in Yerevan from Serzh Sargsyan and Armenian public.

Speaking about his artistic plans, the celebrated tenor told President Sargsyan that before visiting Armenia again he intends to direct an opera performance in Los Angeles, which could be Anoush or David Bek.



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President Serzh Sargsyan, who is at the United States on a working visit, on September 26 participated at the reception held by the Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa in the honor of the President of Armenia.

The President thanked for the warm reception and underlined that he was feeling proud throughout his visit to the US to represent the Armenian people. Noting that at the moment he is in the city which hosts the greatest Armenian community outside Armenia proper, President Sargsyan expressed gratitude to the local authorities of Los Angeles, Mayor Villaraigosa and all friends of the Armenian nation for their warm and considerate attitude toward our compatriots.

“Hundreds thousands of my compatriots have been provided the opportunity to live free, develop, prosper and naturally to contribute to the success of this city and the United States. We are grateful to the United States for such attitude. Our friendship is everlasting, and I am happy that in recent years the Armenian-American relations have strengthened significantly. It is odd, though that we have a millennia-long history but celebrate the 20th anniversary of our independence. We are a young democracy but have been guided by the ideas of democracy for 1700 years. Today, assistance of our friends and our potential help us to make progress in our country,” President Sargsyan said.