20/09/2013 18:05
Opening ceremony of Armenian embassy held in Vatican
Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome hosted the opening ceremony of the Armenian Embassy in the Holy See, a reception on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of Armenia’s independence, and the exhibition entitled “Saint Gregory the Illuminator: Common Heritage of Christianity”.
“Today is a symbolic day. Armenia, which was the first country to declare Christianity as its state religion, is opening its embassy in the Holy See. When I served as Armenia’s nonresident ambassador to the Vatican (pluralistically), I was constantly thinking of the day when our two states would open their diplomatic missions and appoint resident ambassadors to Yerevan and the Vatican. Today we are proceeding along that path. I congratulate us all and wish success to Ambassador Mikael Minasian in his mission aimed at strengthening and deepening relations between Armenia and the Vatican,” Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated at the opening ceremony.
“Our relations have deep historical roots. Christian faith became the basis of these special relations. Great figures such as St. Nerses Shnorhali, Mkhitar Sebastatsi and many others made their contribution to the deepening of our ties. It is symbolic that the official opening of the Armenian diplomatic mission coincides with an anniversary of Armenia’s national holiday. With the restoration of Armenia’s independence, our relations with the Holy See have gained renewed impetus for two decades already,” the foreign minister said.
He reminded those present that in March of this year Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II attended the enthronement of Pope Francis. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan visited the Holy See and met with Pope Benedict XVI in December 2011.
“We keep in our memory the historical visit of Pope John Paul II to Armenia in 2001 when Armenia marked the 1700 anniversary of adoption of Christianity. Armenia highly appreciates the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Holy See in 2000,” Edward Nalbandian said.
According to him, the opening of Armenian embassy bears evidence of the high level of close friendly relations between Armenia and the Holy See and of the wish to further deepen these ties.