Updates
Statements and messages of the President of RA
01
10, 2008
President Sargsyan’s speech at Tbilisi State University
Mr. Khoubua,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I accept with gratitude the high award of Honorary Doctor of Tbilisi State University.
I am truly honored to receive this award at the one of the oldest Universities in the South Caucasus, which was founded by the renowned historian Ivane Javakhishvili and his associates.
I am happy to have the opportunity to address such a reputable audience and present Armenia’s approaches on some issues.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Our meetings and negotiations with President Sahakashvili have been conducted in a friendly atmosphere, which is quite natural, and have revealed mutual readiness to exercise utmost efforts for the resolution of the issues on our agenda. I am greatly satisfied that we have been able to reach agreement on concrete issues and since actual works will begin soon enough, I believe that public will be fully informed on the agreements that have been reached.
Traditionally friendly relations of our two peoples allow us to conduct a sincere, thorough, and comprehensive dialogue on the issues of mutual interest. Events of the beginning of the 90-s in the 20th century, the collapse of the USSR and formation of newly independent states became another test for the soundness of the Armenian-Georgian relations. And, thank God, today we can state that we passed that test with honor.
After independence the main challenge for Armenia was to find her place in this intricate and contentious world. We took the road toward establishing a state based on democratic values and market economy. The country had to face problems which were typical for the transition period, related to fundamental changes in the political and economic areas. We suffered a devastating earthquake, a war, and an energy crisis, but today we can state that Armenia is conducting a liberal economic policy, maintaining favorable business environment.
Economic reforms provided for a sustainable macroeconomic growth. For the last seven years, Armenian economy has been growing by 12-13 percent each year, and it allows to improve the social and economic conditions of our people. Private sector in Armenia has become a locomotive of the economy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The South Caucasus is a complicated region not only from the historical, political, and economic viewpoints but also for its interethnic relations. It has always been an arena for clashes and competition of geopolitical interests and sensitive toward the changes in the balance of power.
On the world map the South Caucasus is a tiny area, but the recent events revealed that though tiny, it is an important area. All the forces involved, acting within and without the region must understand it.
From the very first years of independence, Armenia was facing problems – to reinstate disrupted legal and economic relations with other countries, including Georgia, on a qualitatively new level, and appear on the international arena as a sovereign state. History proves insolvency of the policies based on tactical maneuvering between the controversies of the external interests. For that reason, Armenia’s foreign policy is aimed at deepening our involvement in the regional and various international formats, expansion and strengthening of the relations with our neighbors, as well as with Europe, Russia, and the United States.
We believe that such policies help to overcome historical controversies of our region and bring viewpoints and interests of all parties involved closer together. Because of that balanced policies, today Armenia is perceived by the international community as a reliable, trustworthy and predictable partner.
We, Armenia and Georgia, perceive ourselves as indivisible part of the European civilization, and on the road toward the European integration Armenia and Georgia should cooperate closely.
Armenia’s membership to the OSCE is an important tool for building up security and ensuring political and democratic reforms. The Nagorno Karabakh peace process is also being conducted in the framework of the OSCE. Armenia views this issue in the context of the right of the people of NK for self-determination and adheres to the principle of peaceful resolution of the conflict. We are confident that the NK conflict cannot be resolved successfully if all the historical, legal, and political realities of this unique issues are not given due consideration. Through the active support of the Minsk Group Co-chairs – France, Russia, and the United States – we have been able to establish certain principles of understanding, which are based on the need for concessions. High level as well as regular meetings of the personal representatives of the Presidents are conducted in the framework of the so called Madrid principles. I and sure that they can become the base for the resolution of the conflict.
Armenia has been a stanch advocate of regional cooperation. We believe that implementation of joint programs among the countries of our region will result in closer interaction, will foster the creation of the atmosphere of trust and will diminish the existing tension. We also view Caucasian Platform recently proposed by Turkey in the context of regional cooperation. We firmly believe that regional cooperation could make our countries more attractive and appealing for the business world.
We continue our efforts aimed at establishing good-neighborly relations and deepening cooperation with the neighboring states. Iran is one of Armenia’s most reliable partners. We appreciate a balanced stance of our southern neighbor regarding regional issues and its role in diversification of our transportation routs.
Recently, the President of Turkey Abdullah Gule visited Armenia. I invited the President of Turkey out of a conviction that direct contacts between neighboring states are the only efficient way for normalizing relations. Of course, this initiative, which was named “Football diplomacy” has a political lining. Without relinquishing the past, we must look into the future, establish a mutually appealing agenda and start contacts without preconditions. Once dialogue has begun, any topic could be brought up for discussions, even the thorniest one. We believe that normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations will in turn facilitate creation of favorable conditions in our region.
Armenia believes that to achieve that goal it is necessary to overcome the existing barriers rather than circumvent them.
Current Armenian-Georgian relations are based on the principle of reciprocal respect for one another’s interests and upholding and developing traditions of good-neighborly relations. And the most important among them is the exclusion of hostile actions against one another. I think that in the light of the recent events, the Armenian and Georgian peoples realized that it is possible even if it requires special willpower to do it. Armenia is deeply interested in the establishment of the effective regional security system. We believe in the potential of regional economic cooperation for leveling the existing disagreements. I have said many times that stability in Georgia is not less important for Armenia than stability in Armenia herself. And it is not only because Georgia is the main getaway for Armenia’s communication with the world, but also because many of our compatriots, hundred of thousands of them live here, and we must take it into consideration. In Armenia we acknowledge with pride active role of the Armenian Diaspora in different countries and their considerable input in political, economic, and cultural life of those countries. Georgia is no exception. From the time immemorial, the Armenians in Georgia have been a natural bridge for the brotherly relations of our two nations. I am confident that along with democratic development we will preserve friendship of the Armenian and Georgian peoples which was forged on the crossroads of history.
In conclusion, I would like to once again express gratitude for this honorary title. I wish you, dear Mr. Khoubua, the faculty and the students of your university great success. I am confident that relations between Yerevan and Tbilisi state universities should develop. As the Chairman of the University Council, I will do my best to enhance these relations. We have many things to share. Primarily, it is intelligentsia that should preserve and deepen relations between our two peoples. And with this regard your activities will be not only scientific. However, scientific work also can benefit our people, all of us.
I am very thankful for this honor, for this attitude and I am confident that together with the President of Georgia we will be able to lead our people toward a better future and establish even warmer relations.
Thank you.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I accept with gratitude the high award of Honorary Doctor of Tbilisi State University.
I am truly honored to receive this award at the one of the oldest Universities in the South Caucasus, which was founded by the renowned historian Ivane Javakhishvili and his associates.
I am happy to have the opportunity to address such a reputable audience and present Armenia’s approaches on some issues.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Our meetings and negotiations with President Sahakashvili have been conducted in a friendly atmosphere, which is quite natural, and have revealed mutual readiness to exercise utmost efforts for the resolution of the issues on our agenda. I am greatly satisfied that we have been able to reach agreement on concrete issues and since actual works will begin soon enough, I believe that public will be fully informed on the agreements that have been reached.
Traditionally friendly relations of our two peoples allow us to conduct a sincere, thorough, and comprehensive dialogue on the issues of mutual interest. Events of the beginning of the 90-s in the 20th century, the collapse of the USSR and formation of newly independent states became another test for the soundness of the Armenian-Georgian relations. And, thank God, today we can state that we passed that test with honor.
After independence the main challenge for Armenia was to find her place in this intricate and contentious world. We took the road toward establishing a state based on democratic values and market economy. The country had to face problems which were typical for the transition period, related to fundamental changes in the political and economic areas. We suffered a devastating earthquake, a war, and an energy crisis, but today we can state that Armenia is conducting a liberal economic policy, maintaining favorable business environment.
Economic reforms provided for a sustainable macroeconomic growth. For the last seven years, Armenian economy has been growing by 12-13 percent each year, and it allows to improve the social and economic conditions of our people. Private sector in Armenia has become a locomotive of the economy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The South Caucasus is a complicated region not only from the historical, political, and economic viewpoints but also for its interethnic relations. It has always been an arena for clashes and competition of geopolitical interests and sensitive toward the changes in the balance of power.
On the world map the South Caucasus is a tiny area, but the recent events revealed that though tiny, it is an important area. All the forces involved, acting within and without the region must understand it.
From the very first years of independence, Armenia was facing problems – to reinstate disrupted legal and economic relations with other countries, including Georgia, on a qualitatively new level, and appear on the international arena as a sovereign state. History proves insolvency of the policies based on tactical maneuvering between the controversies of the external interests. For that reason, Armenia’s foreign policy is aimed at deepening our involvement in the regional and various international formats, expansion and strengthening of the relations with our neighbors, as well as with Europe, Russia, and the United States.
We believe that such policies help to overcome historical controversies of our region and bring viewpoints and interests of all parties involved closer together. Because of that balanced policies, today Armenia is perceived by the international community as a reliable, trustworthy and predictable partner.
We, Armenia and Georgia, perceive ourselves as indivisible part of the European civilization, and on the road toward the European integration Armenia and Georgia should cooperate closely.
Armenia’s membership to the OSCE is an important tool for building up security and ensuring political and democratic reforms. The Nagorno Karabakh peace process is also being conducted in the framework of the OSCE. Armenia views this issue in the context of the right of the people of NK for self-determination and adheres to the principle of peaceful resolution of the conflict. We are confident that the NK conflict cannot be resolved successfully if all the historical, legal, and political realities of this unique issues are not given due consideration. Through the active support of the Minsk Group Co-chairs – France, Russia, and the United States – we have been able to establish certain principles of understanding, which are based on the need for concessions. High level as well as regular meetings of the personal representatives of the Presidents are conducted in the framework of the so called Madrid principles. I and sure that they can become the base for the resolution of the conflict.
Armenia has been a stanch advocate of regional cooperation. We believe that implementation of joint programs among the countries of our region will result in closer interaction, will foster the creation of the atmosphere of trust and will diminish the existing tension. We also view Caucasian Platform recently proposed by Turkey in the context of regional cooperation. We firmly believe that regional cooperation could make our countries more attractive and appealing for the business world.
We continue our efforts aimed at establishing good-neighborly relations and deepening cooperation with the neighboring states. Iran is one of Armenia’s most reliable partners. We appreciate a balanced stance of our southern neighbor regarding regional issues and its role in diversification of our transportation routs.
Recently, the President of Turkey Abdullah Gule visited Armenia. I invited the President of Turkey out of a conviction that direct contacts between neighboring states are the only efficient way for normalizing relations. Of course, this initiative, which was named “Football diplomacy” has a political lining. Without relinquishing the past, we must look into the future, establish a mutually appealing agenda and start contacts without preconditions. Once dialogue has begun, any topic could be brought up for discussions, even the thorniest one. We believe that normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations will in turn facilitate creation of favorable conditions in our region.
Armenia believes that to achieve that goal it is necessary to overcome the existing barriers rather than circumvent them.
Current Armenian-Georgian relations are based on the principle of reciprocal respect for one another’s interests and upholding and developing traditions of good-neighborly relations. And the most important among them is the exclusion of hostile actions against one another. I think that in the light of the recent events, the Armenian and Georgian peoples realized that it is possible even if it requires special willpower to do it. Armenia is deeply interested in the establishment of the effective regional security system. We believe in the potential of regional economic cooperation for leveling the existing disagreements. I have said many times that stability in Georgia is not less important for Armenia than stability in Armenia herself. And it is not only because Georgia is the main getaway for Armenia’s communication with the world, but also because many of our compatriots, hundred of thousands of them live here, and we must take it into consideration. In Armenia we acknowledge with pride active role of the Armenian Diaspora in different countries and their considerable input in political, economic, and cultural life of those countries. Georgia is no exception. From the time immemorial, the Armenians in Georgia have been a natural bridge for the brotherly relations of our two nations. I am confident that along with democratic development we will preserve friendship of the Armenian and Georgian peoples which was forged on the crossroads of history.
In conclusion, I would like to once again express gratitude for this honorary title. I wish you, dear Mr. Khoubua, the faculty and the students of your university great success. I am confident that relations between Yerevan and Tbilisi state universities should develop. As the Chairman of the University Council, I will do my best to enhance these relations. We have many things to share. Primarily, it is intelligentsia that should preserve and deepen relations between our two peoples. And with this regard your activities will be not only scientific. However, scientific work also can benefit our people, all of us.
I am very thankful for this honor, for this attitude and I am confident that together with the President of Georgia we will be able to lead our people toward a better future and establish even warmer relations.
Thank you.