Ioannis Raidas, newly appointed President of Economic and Social Council of Greece, wrote a letter to the President of Public Council of Armenia. The letter reads:
“On February 2021 I was elected as President of the Economic and Social Council of Greece for a four years term.
The Economic and Social Council of Greece has always had a close and fruitful cooperation with the Public Council of Armenia and it is my commitment to continue our collaboration as our both institutions share the same values and mission, being longstanding members of AICESIS.
Furthermore, the Memorandum of Understanding signed between our organizations consist of an outstanding basis for undertaking initiatives and exchanges that could add value to our societies.
Our strong will is to re-activate our bilateral concertation on a range of fields that could be mutually defined. Our Secretary General, Mr. Aposolos Xyraphis is granted with the task to give essence to our vision, in coordination with your respectable institution.
In this sense, please do receive Mr. Safaryan, the expression of my most distinguished considerations.”
In his turn, Styopa Safaryan, President of the Public Council of the Republic of Armenia answered:
“Dear Mr. President,
I am delighted for your warm and aspiring communication. Firstly, let me congratulate you on your successful election as the President of the Economic and Social Council of Greece and wish you fruitful work for the sake of prosperity of Greece with which Armenia has historically established warm, friendly and productive relations.
The Public Council of Armenia highly appreciates relationship with ESC of Greece and considers the MoU signed between our institutions as an important framework for development of mutually beneficial connections and exchanges. On behalf of our institution and colleagues, I express our strong interest and readiness to bring our contribution and ideas on updating our shared vision.
As you stressed in your letter the world faces unprecedented challenges due to Covid-19 pandemic that continues affecting our countries dramatically. As a result, the structure and form of global economy gradually changes being influenced also by the global pandemic. It makes an imperative to combine our efforts including material, professional and financial ones to effectively cope with the disease and its negative consequences.
Moreover, since last September and after the war of aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against the non-recognized Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) with overt support of Turkey has caused other implications for the Armenian society in large, its economic and political system and regional peace in general, such as Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) still kept in Azerbaijan as captives, port-war social-economic reconstruction and development of the areas affected by war not only in Artsakh, but in Armenia as well. All these large-scale and severe challenges push us to act in great synergy and cooperation as ever to meet and to overcome them with less losses.
Greece and Armenia are friends in need with similarities in terms of external threats, economic policies, etc. As a result, I do think that the Public Council of Armenia and the Economic and Social Council of Greece have a large room for cooperation to raise issues important for Greek and Armenian societies.
The Public Council of Armenia highly estimates building and furthering relations with its external partners and in this context makes it important to shape effective formats of communication.
As considerable amount of time has passed since the last contact between our institutions, I suggest that we arrange mutually acceptable time and organize an online conference to discuss all relevant topics and issues.
Again, thank you for your kind letter and strong commitment.”
