On March 25, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan’s official visit to Argentina commenced with a wreath-laying ceremony at the General Jose de San Martin Memorial in Buenos Aires. Ararat Mirzoyan was welcomed and accompanied by Leopoldo Sahores, Deputy Foreign Minister of Argentina.
The national anthems of Armenia and Argentina were played by the guard of honour – the Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers.
Afterwards, an event dedicated to the visit of the Foreign Minister of Armenia was organized at the City Legislature of Buenos Aires, where the Minister was welcomed by the first and second Vice Presidents Matías López and Matías Lammens.
In their remarks, the Vice Presidents emphasized the strong relations between Armenia and Argentina, based on the long-standing friendship between the two nations.
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Members of the City Legislature, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and city authorities, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Argentina, Armenian and other communities attended the event.
During the event, the Foreign Minister of Armenia was awarded with the title of “Guest of Honour of Buenos Aires”.
The presentation of the book “Armenian Buenos Aires” was held.
Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan made remarks in which he noted:
“Honourable Mr. President,
Parliamentarians,
Ambassadors,
Compatriots,
Dear attendees,
First of all, I would like to thank the City Legislature of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires for awarding me with the title of “Guest of Honour of Buenos Aires”. It is exciting and a great honour for me, and I want to express my deep gratitude. I want to admit that your city captivated me with its warmth even before. But now, it is also a certain duty to treat Buenos Aires with love, but a pleasant duty. And I want to assure you that your city will always have its place in my heart.
Argentina and Armenia have always had friendly relations. These relations were based on the long-standing friendship between the two peoples. For my country, Argentina is one of the most important partners in South America. I want to mention a very characteristic fact: the first Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in South America was opened in Buenos Aires.
Certainly, our relations do not have only a 30-year history. Everyone in Armenia remembers well that Argentina opened its doors to the Armenian people, sons of Armenia who fled the Ottoman Empire and sought salvation in different places. Argentina gave shelter to these people and then became a home for them. And we can proudly say that, in return, these people became one of the most important parts of Argentine society and were given the opportunity to develop and also, to a certain extent, with their contribution and their loyalty they were able to return that extended hand of help.
Of course, this is not the only instance when Armenia and the Armenian people felt the support of Argentina. Unfortunately, our country has been going through severe trials for the past 3-4 years, and this continues until today. And again we are faced with the fact that as a result of the use of force, a part of Armenians, more than 100,000 people, had to leave their historical homeland and find refuge in the territory of the Republic of Armenia. And during this time we again heard very loud voices of support from Argentina, including from the City Legislature of Buenos Aires.
I want to assure you that the voice you raised in defence of the Republic of Armenia did not go unnoticed. We highly appreciate your position and are grateful for it. We will be happy someday in history to stand by the side of Argentina. Of course, we hope and wish that those are moments of joy and achievement. We know that we have friends here, and please believe that you have a loyal friend in the South Caucasus.
It is also very significant that today we celebrate together the presentation of the book “Armenian Buenos Aires”. This is another way to appreciate and express our gratitude to Buenos Aires.
Thank you all for making this day memorable with your presence and thank you for such a warm welcome to me and my delegation.
Thank You.”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
