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Talk with Ambassador: Gegham Gharibjanyan
14:33, 28.02.2015
Armenian News-NEWS.am agency together with the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Armenia continues a series of interviews titled "Talk with
Ambassador". This week our guest is Armenia's Ambassador to UAE
Gegham Gharibjanyan.
Your Excellency, in which domains will Armenia develop relations with UAE?
UAE recognized Armenia's independence in 1991, and diplomatic
relations between the states were established on June 25, 1998.
In September 2000, the Armenian Embassy opened in UAE, and in 2008 the
building of Armenian embassy was constructed in Abu Dhabi thanks to
the Armenian benefactors and on the land provided by Sheikh Zayed bin
Sultan Al Nahyan.
Armenia attaches great importance to multilateral relations with the
Gulf states, in particular with the UAE. There have been numerous
mutual visits between Armenia and UAE, and around three dozens of
documents have been signed.
In recent years, there is a trend for development of relations in
trade, economic, and political, scientific and cultural fields.
Activities are underway to expand the legal field of bilateral
relations.
Active bilateral cooperation was formed within international organizations.
There is a huge potential that has not been used, which, through
mutual efforts, will open new horizons for relations between Armenia
and the Emirates. Here, of course, he Armenian Embassy in the UAE has
an important role as well as the newly opened embassy in Yerevan.
Embassy is the first link for communication between representatives of
political, economic and cultural circles.
Armenians have been settling in Arabia since the late Middle Ages.
Please, tell us about our community in the United Arab Emirates.
Back in fifteenth century Armenian merchants were actively involved in
trade between East and West through the Persian Gulf. But the bulk of
the Armenian community began to settle in the United Arab Emirates
after 1975. They were coming from Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Egypt, Iraq,
Armenia, Russia, European countries, USA and Canada. Nowadays,
according to rough estimates, there are 8-10 thousand Armenians in
UAE.
In 1980 an Armenian school "Harut Hovhannisyan" opened in n Sharjah.
National life is governed by the Diocesan Assembly led by the head of
the diocese.
On November 15, 1998 Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I
consecrated the church of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Sharjah. The
church is a part of a complex, including a school and a ballroom.
There is no print media, but there are two websites: emahay.com and
azad-hay.net. Ninety percent of the Armenians living in UAE are
representatives of state agencies and NGOs. They are involved in
construction, engineering and trade.
In 2006 UAE Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with a special
decree, granted to the Armenian community of Abu Dhabi territory for
the construction of a church and a community center.
On December 2014 the Church of the Holy Martyrs of Abu Dhabi was
consecrated with the participation of Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia Aram I.
Arab geographer Ibn Hawqal wrote about uniqueness of Armenian fabric
and carpets back in the tenth century. What can we offer the UAE
consumers and investors today?
Even before establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and
UAE, there were trade and economic ties on the personal initiative of
the entrepreneurs from the two countries.
Armenia exported equipment, copper, aluminum, precious and
semi-precious stones, shoes, artwork, antiques, and imported
electrical equipment, construction materials, food products and
consumer goods.
One of the key programs is a $10 million credit from the Abu Dhabi
Fund for Development for the construction of Arpa-Sevan tunnel, as
well as renovation of Haghartsin Monastery that was funded by Sharjah
emir Sheikh Sultan III bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi.
The embassy is working to hold a meeting of Armenia-UAE
intergovernmental commission.
I think that a joint business forum that was held in Armenia's
commerce chamber last year played a significant role in deepening of
trade and economic ties.
Given that Abu Dhabi is home to the headquarters of the International
Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the embassy is involved in the
organization of cooperation in the field of renewable energy.
There are cooperation proposals in a number of sectors of bilateral
cooperation, particularly in the chemical, jewelery and diamond
cutting, mining industry. Promising sector is agriculture with several
programs being under discussion. In addition, the sides expressed
interest in further development of cooperation in tourism.
Three air companies - FlyDubai, Air Arabia and Etihad - are operating
direct flights to Yerevan.
Armenia has been also granted ten scholarships in MASDAR university.
Arab community, as a rule, is sympathetic to the historical memory of
Armenians. How will the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide be
marked in the UAE?
Just as in other Armenian communities, the Armenian embassy in UAE
with the active participation of the local Armenians is preparing to
mark centennial of the Armenian Genocide. The Embassy will start
distribution of information materials ahead of April 24.
In 2014, a khachkar was installed in the courtyard of the new Church
of the Holy Martyrs in Abu Dhabi, built in memory of the Armenian
Genocide in Turkey. The khachkar was donated by the family of
Ambassador Gharibjanian. Cross-stone was consecrated by the Catholicos
of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I.
Many events will be held in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, the most
important of which is the evening in memory of the 100th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide on April 24 in Abu Dhabi, in the hall of the
Armenian Embassy. The event will be followed by a concert with the
participation of Armenian musicians. Funeral liturgy will be held in
Abu Dhabi and in Sharjah.
You have been serving as a diplomat for many years. Your wishes to the
young diplomats, the diplomats who will represent Armenia in the
future.
Believe in the future of your homeland and the state.
http://news.am/eng/news/254756.html
14:33, 28.02.2015
Armenian News-NEWS.am agency together with the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Armenia continues a series of interviews titled "Talk with
Ambassador". This week our guest is Armenia's Ambassador to UAE
Gegham Gharibjanyan.
Your Excellency, in which domains will Armenia develop relations with UAE?
UAE recognized Armenia's independence in 1991, and diplomatic
relations between the states were established on June 25, 1998.
In September 2000, the Armenian Embassy opened in UAE, and in 2008 the
building of Armenian embassy was constructed in Abu Dhabi thanks to
the Armenian benefactors and on the land provided by Sheikh Zayed bin
Sultan Al Nahyan.
Armenia attaches great importance to multilateral relations with the
Gulf states, in particular with the UAE. There have been numerous
mutual visits between Armenia and UAE, and around three dozens of
documents have been signed.
In recent years, there is a trend for development of relations in
trade, economic, and political, scientific and cultural fields.
Activities are underway to expand the legal field of bilateral
relations.
Active bilateral cooperation was formed within international organizations.
There is a huge potential that has not been used, which, through
mutual efforts, will open new horizons for relations between Armenia
and the Emirates. Here, of course, he Armenian Embassy in the UAE has
an important role as well as the newly opened embassy in Yerevan.
Embassy is the first link for communication between representatives of
political, economic and cultural circles.
Armenians have been settling in Arabia since the late Middle Ages.
Please, tell us about our community in the United Arab Emirates.
Back in fifteenth century Armenian merchants were actively involved in
trade between East and West through the Persian Gulf. But the bulk of
the Armenian community began to settle in the United Arab Emirates
after 1975. They were coming from Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Egypt, Iraq,
Armenia, Russia, European countries, USA and Canada. Nowadays,
according to rough estimates, there are 8-10 thousand Armenians in
UAE.
In 1980 an Armenian school "Harut Hovhannisyan" opened in n Sharjah.
National life is governed by the Diocesan Assembly led by the head of
the diocese.
On November 15, 1998 Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I
consecrated the church of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Sharjah. The
church is a part of a complex, including a school and a ballroom.
There is no print media, but there are two websites: emahay.com and
azad-hay.net. Ninety percent of the Armenians living in UAE are
representatives of state agencies and NGOs. They are involved in
construction, engineering and trade.
In 2006 UAE Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with a special
decree, granted to the Armenian community of Abu Dhabi territory for
the construction of a church and a community center.
On December 2014 the Church of the Holy Martyrs of Abu Dhabi was
consecrated with the participation of Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia Aram I.
Arab geographer Ibn Hawqal wrote about uniqueness of Armenian fabric
and carpets back in the tenth century. What can we offer the UAE
consumers and investors today?
Even before establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and
UAE, there were trade and economic ties on the personal initiative of
the entrepreneurs from the two countries.
Armenia exported equipment, copper, aluminum, precious and
semi-precious stones, shoes, artwork, antiques, and imported
electrical equipment, construction materials, food products and
consumer goods.
One of the key programs is a $10 million credit from the Abu Dhabi
Fund for Development for the construction of Arpa-Sevan tunnel, as
well as renovation of Haghartsin Monastery that was funded by Sharjah
emir Sheikh Sultan III bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi.
The embassy is working to hold a meeting of Armenia-UAE
intergovernmental commission.
I think that a joint business forum that was held in Armenia's
commerce chamber last year played a significant role in deepening of
trade and economic ties.
Given that Abu Dhabi is home to the headquarters of the International
Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the embassy is involved in the
organization of cooperation in the field of renewable energy.
There are cooperation proposals in a number of sectors of bilateral
cooperation, particularly in the chemical, jewelery and diamond
cutting, mining industry. Promising sector is agriculture with several
programs being under discussion. In addition, the sides expressed
interest in further development of cooperation in tourism.
Three air companies - FlyDubai, Air Arabia and Etihad - are operating
direct flights to Yerevan.
Armenia has been also granted ten scholarships in MASDAR university.
Arab community, as a rule, is sympathetic to the historical memory of
Armenians. How will the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide be
marked in the UAE?
Just as in other Armenian communities, the Armenian embassy in UAE
with the active participation of the local Armenians is preparing to
mark centennial of the Armenian Genocide. The Embassy will start
distribution of information materials ahead of April 24.
In 2014, a khachkar was installed in the courtyard of the new Church
of the Holy Martyrs in Abu Dhabi, built in memory of the Armenian
Genocide in Turkey. The khachkar was donated by the family of
Ambassador Gharibjanian. Cross-stone was consecrated by the Catholicos
of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I.
Many events will be held in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, the most
important of which is the evening in memory of the 100th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide on April 24 in Abu Dhabi, in the hall of the
Armenian Embassy. The event will be followed by a concert with the
participation of Armenian musicians. Funeral liturgy will be held in
Abu Dhabi and in Sharjah.
You have been serving as a diplomat for many years. Your wishes to the
young diplomats, the diplomats who will represent Armenia in the
future.
Believe in the future of your homeland and the state.
http://news.am/eng/news/254756.html