President talks Argentina ties, Genocide recognition at Buenos Aires visit

PanARMENIAN.Net - President Serzh Sargsyan who is on an official visit to Argentina, met with the Head of Government (Mayor) of Buenos Aires Mauricio Macri, Panorama.am reported citing the presidential press service.

In the context of Armenian-Argentinean interstate relations, the two sides stressed the importance of decentralized cooperation in the strengthening of friendship and mutual understanding of cultural values. Sargsyan and Macri noted that the first step in this direction was taken about 15 years ago when Buenos Aires and Yerevan were declared sister cities.

President Sargsyan stressed the importance of Macri’s visit to Yerevan in 2012 when Buenos Aires transferred the title of World Book Capital to Yerevan. According to the Armenian President, the visit gave renewed impetus to cooperation between the two capitals. He expressed hope that such visits and mutual contacts will be regular and have a comprehensive agenda.

The President also spoke about the Armenian presence in Buenos Aires, calling it a solid bridge between the two countries. In his words, Argentina warmly treated the Armenians who settled in the country after the 1915 Armenian Genocide. He noted with satisfaction that Armenians have made a considerable contribution to the development of Argentina and Buenos Aires, enriching the life of the city famous for its cultural diversity.

Taking the opportunity, President Sargsyan thanked the authorities of Buenos Aires for the official recognition of the Armenian Genocide and for establishing the Genocide Museum. He considered it an invaluable step in the international recognition of condemnation of the Armenian Genocide.

Sargsyan congratulated the mayor of Buenos Aires and the friendly people of Argentina on the coming holiday – Independence Day marked on July 9 and wished them peace, prosperity and success.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mayor Macri handed a key of Buenos Aires and an honorary visitor diploma to the Armenian President.

The Armenian leader also met with President of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies Julian Dominguez.

Sargsyan said that during his visits to foreign countries, he attaches great importance to meetings with heads of legislative bodies that play an important role in the development of interstate relations and the formation of an atmosphere of trust. The Armenian President said the adoption of the bill on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Argentina’s Senate and House of Representatives opened a new page in centuries-old friendship of Armenia and Argentina and gave a special meaning to the inter-parliamentary ties. The sides underlined the importance of mutual visits of parliamentary delegations at various levels and contacts between the inter-parliamentary friendship groups.