Ambassador-designate Balayan visited the Armenian community of the city of Almelo

11 November, 2018

On November 11, Mr. Tigran Balayan, the Ambassador-designate to the Kingdom of Netherlands, visited Saint Gregory Illuminator Church in Almelo and had meetings with the board of the church headed by Onik Gelici.

Ambassador designate Balayan paid tribute to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide in the Memorial to the victims of the Armenian Genocide located in vicinity of Saint Gregory Illuminator Church, then attended the liturgy at the church.

Ambassador designate Balayan met the teachers and pupils of the Sunday school of the Church, got acquainted with the activities of the school.

During the visit the newly-appointed Ambassador met the representatives of Armenian communities of Almelo and surrounding regions and had a constructive discussion on the issues and concerns of Armenian communities.

The sides outlined the prospects of further cooperation and the preferable directions. Both sided stressed the significance of effective cooperation between local authorities and Armenian communities. The Armenian community in Almelo has managed to fully integrate into the Dutch society, while preserving the Armenian identity: the vivid proof of the latter is the representation of the community in the City Council.

Ambassador designate Balayan touched upon Armenia's recent domestic political developments, early parliamentary elections and their significance, foreign policy priorities and answered the questions of those present.

Talking about his mission in the post of Ambassador, Tigran Balayan said: "Although I am honored to be the formal Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia and present my homeland in the Netherlands, I urge you to be the ambassadors of New Armenia, disseminate the message of becoming a democratic, powerful and exemplary country and promoting it, by investing in Armenia and creating jobs, taking your experience and knowledge to our Homeland!"

Talking about the importance and role of the Armenian community, Tigran Balayan underlined the necessity of joint efforts aimed at raising the awareness of Armenia and deepening of the Armenian-Dutch bilateral relations.

Ambassador designate Balayan accompanied by Minas Arsenyan, representative of the Armenian General Athletic Union, Onik Gelici, Head of the Saint Gregory Illuminator Church’s Council, Robin Hayk Gelici, member of the Municipal Council of Almelo, visited the premises for Armenian General Athletic Union’s Almelo Center and got acquainted with the preparations for the construction.

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