13
04, 2011

Official dinner in honor of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in Slovenia

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Today, President of Slovenia Danilo Turk hosted an official dinner in honor of President Serzh Sargsyan who is in Slovenia on official visit.



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Toast by the President Sezh Sargsyan at the official dinner held in his honor by the President of the Republic of Slovenia Danilo Turk

Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am truly touched by the warm reception extended to the Armenian delegation. Here, in Slovenia we have not only witnessed development and advancement of your country, have not only seen picturesque places and amazing nature but also have had the opportunity to connect with kindness, warmth and diligence of the Slovenian people.

As the first President of the Republic of Armenia, who’s visiting this wonderful country, I glance back into the twenty years of the Armenian-Slovenian relations. I am genuinely sorry that the first ten years were lost, but at the same time I am really happy that we have been able to make the second decade work for the development of our cooperation on a mutually beneficial basis. The very fact that in the last six months this is the third time I am meeting with my Slovenian colleague testifies to the mutual desire of the parties to develop our relations.

Mr. President,

Armenians and Slovenians have many things in common. Throughout the history our nations encountered countless adversities, lost their statehood, had been parts of different empires and state formations but had been able to preserve their national identity, language and culture which constitute a strong base for the establishment of independent statehood.

Our two countries, which have been independent for the last twenty years, build their future based on a new system of values. That system of values allows self-expression and self-assertion for each member of the society, allows to make free choices, to fully participate in state-building, and engage in free enterpreneurship. Our two countries build their foreign policy with the perception of stregthening the European security and cooperation structure, peaceful coexistence, and integration processes.

Unfortunately, challenges which Armenia faces today do not end with domestic reforms. Nowadays, the South Caucasus is far from the implementation of the core principles adopted by the united Europe – free movement of people, capital, goods and services, which considerable circumscribes opportunities for regional cooperation, and in a larger sense, impacts the integration processes. Not all of our neighbors are ready to reciprocate our good will and open out for the cooperation without preconditions. Moreover, we receive threats that the Armenian civil aviation aircrafts will be destroyed; no opportunity is lost to rattle the sabre and intimidate the Armenians with war.

Armenia is guided by good will. We have never dodged our international obligations and are ready to continue negations chaired and mediated by the Minsk Group, exclusively through peaceful means, based on the principles of international law which will allow the people of Nagorno Karabakh to freely express their will and will insure their security.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Impressive showing of the Slovenian economy, which was rebuilt in a short period of time and decent living standard allow to speak about the Slovenian method. The Slovenian example is encouraging for us both as a paradigm for statebuilding and economic development.

There are good preconditions for the development of the Armenian-Slovenian cooperation. The leaders of the two states have established the atmosphere of mutual trust and conduct regular political dialogue. First essential steps have been taken towards the invigoration of the trade and economic ties.

I would like to highlight the pivotal role of cultural and interpersonal contacts in our bilateral relations. It is the friendship of the peoples that is a lasting value regardless of political or economic upheavals. I was glad to learn that for many years the Slovenian Philharmonic orchestra was directed by George Pahlevanian of Armenian descent.

I am also happy that last year the Armenian cultural festival in Slovenia was a success. These days too, the Slovenians have the opportunity to familiarize with modern Armenian art. Now, it’s your turn: We are looking forward to enjoying Slovenian culture in Armenia.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Long live the Armenian-Slovenian friendship, and allow me to raise my glass in honor of the President of Slovenia Mr. Turk, for the well-being of our peoples and prosperity of our two states.

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