Saturday, May 24 2014

Mr.
Ambassador, are you pleased with the current level of the Armenian-Romanian
relations?

 

As you
know, Romania was the first state to host Armenian merchants as early as 850
years ago. The oldest Armenian community is in Romania. In 1915 Romania became
the first state to open its borders to Armenians and in 1991 it was the first
to recognize the independence of the Republic of Armenia. I have recently met
with the first President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan and he recalled that
fact with great pleasure. Our relations are still developing to that effect.
Today the Armenian-Romanian relations are at a high level; they are based on
mutual understanding and Christian values. Armenia was the first state in the
world to adopt Christianity and Romania has been practicing Christianity since
ancient times. Our states have much in common in the field of culture. Moreover,
the Armenian community of Romania is actively engaged in culture. Numerous
representatives of the Armenian community make an invaluable contribution to
development of Romania’s science and other fields due to their high mental
capacities. For instance, Doctor of Medicine Anna Aslan developed an
age-defying device – Gerovital. The fact that one of Catholicoses of Armenians,
Vazgen I, was a representative of the Armenian community of Romania speaks
volumes. I am also glad to tell you that last year, during a meeting with
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, I asked for his permit to erect a monument
to Vazgen I, which will be brought from Romania. Catholicos of All Armenians
Karekin II also approved that proposal.

 

Where
is the monument to Vazgen I supposed to be?

 

It will
most likely be erected in Etchmiadzin, in the Alley of Patriarchs. You already
have 2 such monuments in Sevanavan and Etchmiadzin. This will be the third one.
As regards the current Armenian-Romanian relations, I’d like to mention that Armenia’s
Embassy in Bucharest is very active. We are actively working to strengthen our
bilateral relations. Nevertheless, I suppose that we have a serious potential
to boost our cooperation and we are taking the relevant measures for that. In
this light, on May 22 ALDIS, the largest Romanian company, which is a leading
company in our country’s food industry and produces meat products, presented
its products (over 200 items) in Yerevan. Another important event is the May 23
grand concert dedicated to the Armenian-Romanian relations and Europe Day in
Armenia. Alexandru Tomescu, the best Romanian violinist, Valentina Babor, a
pianist from Germany, and certainly the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia
headed by Eduard Topchyan will perform at the concert.

 

What
are the priority directions in the Armenian-Romanian cooperation today?

 

As a
diplomat, I certainly think that the diplomatic and political relations are of
great importance in the two states’ relations, but the trade and economic, as
well as cultural ties are also priorities, because everything is based on
economy. If you have strong economy, you have a strong social sector,
high-quality healthcare sector and education. You develop when you have money.
In this context, I’d like to say that the presentation of the Romanian meat
products of ALDIS aims to strengthen the economic and commercial ties.

 

In
2013 the imports from Romania to Armenia rose by 34.4 % to $118.1 mln. Will the
commodity turnover between the two countries grow? Will it be possible to
export the Armenian products to the Romanian market in the future, especially
given that in 2013the exports dropped by 85.1% to $85.3 thsd?

 

It is a
matter of demand and supply. I am very glad to see that our export is growing
and there is a possibility to continue developing this direction. Armenia’s
Ambassador to Romania is a very good diplomat, but I would reiterate that it is
a matter of demand and supply. Armenia will join the Customs Union soon. It is very good that you can develop trade and
economic ties with your neighbors. Export of Armenian products, for example,
Armenian vegetables will be good for the Romanian market. Armenian vegetables
have amazing gustatory qualities. European vegetables lack such gustatory
qualities. There is also a huge potential for export of fruit and stewed fruit.
The potential should be used and I am ready to render my support. Armenia also
produces very good brandy. I personally know and I respect remarkable
businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, who is one of the largest brandy producers in
Armenia. He is the official brandy supplier to the Kremlin. I am sure this
product will also be in demand in the Romanian market.

 

Can
we say that Armenian products are insufficiently represented on the Romanian
market? 

 

I wouldn’t
say so. Perhaps, you should simply apply an aggressive policy, because your
products are very good and have a big potential.

 

Could you specify the Romanian goods imported
into Armenia?

 

- We supply different products. Now we are
considering organizing the export of Romanian cars. We have two producers
-Renault Duster and Ford. We also produce very good medicines. As far as I
know, in Armenia there are medicines of different quality. We also have a good
potential of cooperation in pharmaceutics and some other fields.

 

At what a level is the cultural dialogue
between our countries?

 

- At quite a good level. Just a few days ago,
we held an interesting cultural event in the Yerevan State Linguistic
University in the framework of the days of la Francophonie in Armenia: with the
kind support of Director General of ArmInfo News Agency Emmanuil Mkrtchyan, we
presented a book by Romanian writer from Corsica Daniela Radut - "L'autre
visage de la Roumanie, l'autre visage de la Course.” The event was attended by
MPs, ministers, including your Education and Science Minister Armen Ashotyan.
We have also presented a number of Romanian films. As I have already said, on
May 23 the Romanian Embassy will organize a concert to mark the Europe Day. As
an ambassador, I believe that Armenia is moving in the right direction. Your
President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan also said this.
By the way, I think that Nalbandyan is one of the best ministers I have seen
during the 24 years of my work. He is a very experienced minister. They said
that our relations can be actively developed.

 

As you may know, the European Union’s strength
is its capital, human resources, labor force and production. The fifth
advantage of Europe is culture, and here we can actively cooperate. The concert
we are organizing together is the best proof of this. Armenia’s wish to
integrate into the Customs Union does not mean that it is turning its back
towards Europe. You can continue contacting with both Europe and the Customs
Union – you can have it both ways. You can take the best things from both
structures and move on. This is what your geographical and geopolitical
situation prompts you to do. You will not be able to develop without your
strategic partner, Russia, but as President Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister
Hovik Abrahamyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan said, Armenia is not
quitting Europe. Your wonderful diplomat, former Deputy Foreign Minister Zohrab
Mnatsakanyan pointed out that the Association Agreement with the EU has a
number of points that can be developed despite the Customs Union. By organizing
this concert, we would like to make it clear that Armenia does have European
future and will develop its ties with Europe.

 

What a role does the Armenian community play in
the social-political life of your country? How many Armenians are there in
Romania?

 

- As I have already said, the Armenian
community of Romania is the oldest Armenian community in the world. It is hard
to say exactly how many Armenians live in Romania. According to President of
the Union of Armenians of Romania, Varoujan Voskanian, there are almost 30,000
Armenians living and working in the country. We have an old community, a new
community, which emerged after 1915 and the newest one, which comprises
Armenians who came to Romania after 1991. According to official statistics,
there are 8,000 Armenians in Romania. The Armenian community is very strong.
For example, Varoujan Voskanian has held a number of ministerial offices: he
has been economic minister and finance minister. I am glad to say that he is
coming to Armenia today to attend tomorrow’s concert. We have MP Varoujan
Pampukchian, who represents ethnic minorities in our parliament. There are lots
of such people in politics, business, science and education.

 

Can you say that it’s easy for Armenians to
integrate into Romanian society?

 

- Yes, I can. In Bucharest there are an
Armenian museum – one of the richest Armenian museums in the world, along with
the museums in Venice, Vienna and Paris.

 

At what a level is the cooperation in the field
of tourism? Are there any signs of development?

 

- Here we are not very active. I think we might
have done much more. But what is important here is that we have a wish to do
it. I would like Armenian tourists to better know Romania and vice versa.
Armenia has lots of sights and museums. We have sea, the Danube Delta and
magnificent mountains. Bucharest is a very beautiful city. So, you can see that
we have a potential. All we need to do is just to use it.

 

Thank
you for the interview