Sargsyan: our fight aimed at returning to civilized world and humanity greatest civilizational values

YEREVAN, April 13, /ARKA/.  Speaking at a supper given on behalf of the Armenian ambassador to the Holy See Vatican yesterday evening in his honor, Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan who was on  an official visit to the Italian Republic, said ‘for Armenians  the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide means not only the condemnation of the villains who planned and carried out the first genocide of the 20th century – one of the most terrific crimes that has ever been committed against humanity. All our endeavors are not solely aimed at perpetuating the memory of our innocent victims, our grandmothers and grandfathers, restoring justice and the rights of their descendants. 

Our fight is first of all aimed at returning to the civilized world and humanity, the greatest civilizational values – love and happiness, belief and trust, hope and warmth – of which our world fell short of as a consequence of that terrific crime. Alessandro Manzoni, one of the greatest sons of the Italian people, very rightly put it that criminals are guilty of not only their crimes, but also of the entire evil which causes darkness to penetrate into their victims’ hearts. Our efforts are aimed at dispersing the darkness which has penetrated into the hearts of million people over the last century and lightening their souls with the belief in justice.’ 

’As a national collectivity, we, the homeland dwellers and Diaspora Armenians, are very strong. This is regularly confirmed especially when we face an urgent necessity to make concerted and combined efforts to respond to challenges. In critical moments, we find will and consciousness to consolidate in order to bring together our resources for the sake of tackling pan-Armenian issues. The Italian-Armenian community is the striking illustration of what was said above, and I am grateful to you for your readiness. This is a strength with which both our friends and non-friends reckon with. 

Our entire people in Armenia, the Diaspora and Artsakh (Nagrno-Karabakh) have combined their efforts with the Armenian state to commemorate the Centennial events at the highest level, and many of you, too, have contributed to that goal. I express my deepest gratitude to our compatriots from different countries of the world present at this hall and to all those who have supported us in holding the Centennial events. 

The support of such patriotic and devoted individuals has assisted, has encouraged and has inspired us in our undertakings to worthily commemorate this anniversary which is of great significance for the Armenian people. I hope that you, too, will visit the Homeland during those April days to join us in commemorating the bright memory of our martyrs.’-0-