National Day Message by H. E. Mr. Armen Yedigarian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Republic of Bulgaria

30^th Anniversary of Armenia’s Independence: an outstanding date for the millennia-old civilization

The Republic of Armenia celebrates the 30th anniversary of Independence on 21 September, 2021. 30 years ago, on this day the 99% votes in the nation-wide referendum were given for the independence from the Soviet Union and establishment of free, democratic and social state.

Armenia has a millennia-old history of civilization during which the Armenian people developed their unique culture. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as an official religion in 301 AD. Another milestone of the early medieval history was the creation of the Armenian Alphabet in 405 AD with which the Golden Age of the Armenian literature and historiography started. With the rise of the Armenian Cilician Kingdom in XII century started the Silver Age of the Armenian civilization that continued even after the fall of the kingdom in 1375. The First Republic of Armenia, had survived for less than two years in 1918-1920.

After last year tragic war, Armenia's efforts are focused on stabilizing the situation and establishing lasting peace in the region. In the result of the snap parliamentary elections in June, 2021, new Government of the Republic of Armenia was formed and the new government program was adopted for the upcoming five years. The Program clearly states the commitment of the Armenian Government to start a new era of peaceful development for Armenia and the region, as well as the long-term strategy of the Government to contribute to the regional peace, stability and cooperation.

The foreign policy of the Republic of Armenia prioritizes the further development and strengthening of the cooperation with the international partners, including the European Union, with which Armenia has a strong international-legal instrument The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement in force, and I am pleased to mention that Bulgaria was one of the first countries to ratify the Agreement in June 2018. Armenia is an active member of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Armenia highly values the relations of friendship, trust and mutual respect, happily existing between Armenia and Bulgaria and the two peoples. We are ready to foster our relations in all the spheres of mutual interest, including the political dialogue, trade and investments. We are willing to further enhance the cultural ties and educational exchanges. And we have well established institutions and instruments for that, including the Intergovernmental Commission for economic and scientific-technical cooperation, the upcoming session of which will be hosted by our Bulgarian partners, as well as many cooperation programs in different fields. Another important item in our bilateral agenda is the development of the wider regional economic and transport communications and infrastructure.

Armenia and Bulgaria are resolute in their commitment to engage in a deeper partnership in the fields of tourism, high technologies, as well as in health cooperation. The realization of direct flights between Yerevan and Sofia can be a strong positive impulse for that.

Another important aspect of our political dialogue is the parliamentary diplomacy.

Armenia and Bulgaria actively cooperate in different international formats and have a strong bilateral legal base, which continues to be enlarged and actualized.

The Armenian community in Bulgaria plays the role of a unique bridge in the relations of the two countries and two peoples. Starting from the early XIV century and later on, especially, after the Genocide of 1915, Armenians have been given a refuge and a chance to survive and develop in the territory of Bulgaria. Our two peoples lived together, established strong trust and friendship, as well as the deepest levels of intercultural dialogue. There are many prominent names of Armenians who participated in the fights for freedom of Bulgaria in the Balkan Wars of the beginning of the last century. Today many representatives of Armenian community are respected professionals in their fields that contribute to the prosperity and development of Bulgaria.

On this special day for Armenia, I want to congratulate all Armenians living in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and Diaspora, especially the Armenian community in Bulgaria and all the friends of Armenia.

By historical chance, the next day, 22 September, is the Independence day of the Republic of Bulgaria and on this occasion I want to extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to our Bulgarian friends.

The photo was provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the Republic of Bulgaria. On it: H. E. Mr. Armen Yedigarian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the Republic of Bulgaria