In honor of President Vahagn Khachaturyan, who is on an official visit to Republic of Hungary, an official dinner was given on behalf of Hungarian President Catalin Novák.
At the start of the official dinner, the President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan awarded the Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary Zholt Scheimen with the Medal of Gratitude for his contribution to the strengthening and development of Armenian-Hungarian relations.
The Presidents made reciprocal toasts, highly appreciated the bilateral relations and high-level cooperation.
President Vahagn Khachaturyan's speech:
“Dear Madam President,
Dear guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Let me share my deep gratitude for the warm hospitality shown to the Armenian delegation and me. I am glad to have the opportunity to continue our conversation in such a sincere and friendly atmosphere.
This official visit at the presidential level is clear evidence of mutual interest in the continuous development and bringing our bilateral cooperation to a new level.
Undoubtedly, this will strengthen the centuries-old ties that have been formed between our nations and will become the basis for the dynamic development of multifaceted cooperation.
Our nations are connected by many threads that have been woven since ancient times. Armenians who found refuge in Hungary have proven their loyalty to the host country for centuries, received privileges and noble titles, including from Empress Maria Theresa.
In 1848-1849, a large number of Armenian officers participated in the liberation struggle. Two of the thirteen "Martyrs of Arad" sentenced to death, Lieutenant General Ernօ Kish and Colonel Vilmos Lázár, were of Armenian origin.
The rich cultural ties of our nations have a special place in our relations. Hungarian culture has been enriched by cultural figures of Armenian origin, including writers Gergely Csiky, István Petelei painter Simon Hollós, and these names can be listed for a long time.
One thing is obvious: the friendship of the Armenian and Hungarian people has been tempered for centuries, has gone through difficult trials, giving many examples of devotion and loyalty.
We share the same universal values, striving for international security, peace, sovereignty, and believing in the power of tolerance.
Madam President,
We believe, your country and many countries with which we share cultural and Christian values will support our just cause and help Armenia on its way to achieving lasting peace and cooperation in the region, which should be based on the principles of equality, sovereignty and freedom of all people of the region.
During the meetings within the framework of my official visit to Hungary, I will definitely touch upon the spirit of relations and the best traditions of friendship between our nations.
I would like to conclude my speech reiterating the readiness of the Armenian side to deepen cooperation between the two countries by effective means."
