Blogger Alexander Lapshin shaking hands with President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian.
The prominent travel blogger, Alexander Lapshin, met with Armenian President of Armenia Sarkissian in Washington D.C. during Sarkissian’s three-day visit to the U.S. Lapshin, a Russian-Israeli, was arrested by Belarusian police in 2016 and extradited to Azerbaijan after the Azeri government issued an international arrest warrant for his visit to the Republic of Artsakh. Many viewed this arrest as a violation of international and human rights law.
Lapshin posted a photo with Sarkissian on Facebook.
“I met President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian in Washington,” Lapshin wrote. “He is a surprisingly open, happy man, without the formalities typical to a country’s first figure.”
He also mocked Azerbaijan’s media, saying that his post would likely be misinterpreted by them.
President Sarkissian is in the United States for the Smithsonian’s 2018 Folklife Festival, which will feature “Armenia: Creating Home,” highlighting Armenia’s vibrant history, culture and traditions.
During his visit, Sarkissian participated in a reception honoring the 100th anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia on June 26. The event was organized jointly by the Armenian Embassy to the U.S., the ARF Eastern America Central Committee and the ANCA Washington Office.
President Sarkissian delivered a speech at the event, touching upon the role and significance of the First Republic of Armenia. He emphasized the friendly relations between Armenia and the United States and the need to deepen them, while also working to create a powerful and developed Republic of Armenia.
“Our today’s message is clear,” Sarkissian said. “We must win. Not only can we build a new Armenia, but also [an Armenia] with which all of us will be proud and will be proud of being Armenian.”
Hundreds of Armenian-Americans took part in the event, as well as members of the U.S. Congress, Senate and other government officials.
Source: Asbarez
Link: Prominent Blogger Alexander Lapshin Meets Armenian President