President Sarkisian delivering his congratulatory remarks. (Source: Armenpress)
YEREVAN (Armenpress) — For the fourth consecutive year Diplomat’s Day was officially celebrated in Armenia on March 2. On this day in 1992, the Republic of Armenia became a member of the United Nations as an independent state. Since 2013, President Serzh Sarkisian and Foreign Minister Nalbandian send congratulatory messages to all diplomats.
Armenia stressed great importance to the role of diplomats in presenting interests of Armenia in the international arena, strengthening of national security, as well as in solving vital Pan-Armenian issues.
“The Diplomat’s Day symbolizes the raising of the Armenian flag at United Nations Headquarters, the realization of the cherished dream of our people of joining the international community,” President Sarkisan said in his congratulatory speech.
So far, Armenia has established diplomatic relations with about 160 countries, and is a member of 87 international organizations. Armenia has 61 diplomatic representations abroad. There are 31 diplomatic representations in Armenia and 27 international organizations. And Armenia has signed about 1800 agreements with different countries and international organizations.
Sarkisian in his speech stressed the impact of the work of all the diplomats as he congratulated them on their work. “Last year, the high level of holding events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in dozens of countries became possible also thanks to the efforts of Armenian diplomats. We witnessed many manifestations of solidarity with the Armenian people, which is the regular step in the prevention of such crimes in the future.”
He added how the work of the diplomats in foreign policy keeps progressing and how it has strongly contributed to the development of the entire nation.
“Armenia’s balanced foreign policy finds broad understanding in the international arena, which will enable to find solutions to the problems facing Armenia and contribute to our national interests,” said Sarkisian.
Following his speech, Sarkisian signed decrees on granting a number of diplomats with various diplomatic ranks.
The following diplomats were granted with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary: Ambassador of Armenia to Sweden Artak Apitonyan, Deputy Secretary General of CSTO Arayik Badalyan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Kuwait Fadey Charchoghlyan, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the Council of Europe Armen Papikyan and Adviser to the Armenian Foreign Minister Armen Ghevondyan.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Tigran Balayan and Head of Department of Press, Information and Public Relations of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tigran Mkrtchyan were awarded with “Mkhitar Gosh” medal.
And lastly, Armenian Ambassador to Switzerland Hasmik Tolmajyan, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Saint-Petersburg Hrayr Karapetyan and Adviser of NATO division of Arms Control and International Security Department of Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gagik Hovhannisyan were granted with the rank of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
Source: Asbarez
Link: Sarkisian Praises Armenia’s Diplomatic Achievements