Dear Mr. Ambassador,

Dear guests,

I am happy to welcome you at this event dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Argentine Republic.

We are celebrating today the Silver Jubilee with the Country of Silver, Argentina.

Of course, the relations between our countries go much deeper into history than just a quarter of a century. They are first of all determined by a significant Armenian presence in Argentina. The core of the large Armenian community in Argentina was formed by those who survived the Armenian Genocide of 1915, and nearly one hundred years ago found a safe haven at the hospitable shores of Argentina. Argentina was among the first states that recognized the Armenian Genocide.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The role of His Holiness Pope Francis in the process of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the prevention of crimes against humanity is difficult to overestimate. Let us remember, that his Holiness, yet as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, during an Ecumenical service with the Catholicos of All Armenians in Buenos Aires, said, “We are united in grief over the first genocide of the 20th century.”

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are proud today to see our compatriots as respectable citizens of Argentina, and we are happy that they bind Armenia and Argentina together with numerous visible and invisible links, and contribute to the establishment of traditions of warm friendship and close cooperation between our countries.

During the past 25 years the interstate relations between our two countries have developed on this solid basis. Armenia and Argentina established their first regional embassies in each other’s capitals. There were mutual visits of the highest level, numerous agreements have been signed, many projects in various fields initiated and accomplished. We cooperate successfully in international formats. Visa-free regime created favorable conditions for people-to-people contacts.

I cannot of course omit the trade and economic cooperation, a brilliant symbol of which is the prominent Argentine entrepreneur of Armenian descent, a worthy son of two nations, Mr. Eduardo Eurnekian. Argentina today is among the top foreign investors in the Armenian economy largely due to his activities. For his patriotic undertakings, Mr. Eurnekian was awarded the highest title of the “National Hero of Armenia” and today he received the Order of the Homeland from the President of Armenia. I use this opportunity to congratulate him once again for this high honor.

There is no doubt that the Armenian-Argentine relations have a great potential for further expansion, and I am confident that with joint efforts we will raise them to higher levels. The experience suggests that the synergy of Armenian and Argentinian usually renders outstanding results. The “Karas” wine is the best testimony to that.

We are grateful to our Argentine friends for the opportunity to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of our relations with the Tango of Argentina - the unique symbol of the Argentinian creative spirit.

Dear friends, I congratulate you on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Argentina. I am confident that our relations will continue to develop in the spirit of friendship and will yield many more achievements that we will mark during the gold, diamond and all subsequent jubilees of our relationship.