BEIRUT.- Despite there are socio-economic problems in Armenia, the country faces two major issues of vital importance not only for Armenia but all Armenians, President Serzh Sargsyan said in Beirut.

During the meeting with students of Armenian Haigazian University, President Sargsyan said Armenia has many problems despite much work carried out over the recent years. 

“Social and economic problems are important, but the most important are vital issues – the right of Nagorno-Karabakh’s people to self-determination, the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey,” President said, adding that despite the global crisis, the economic growth reached 4 percent in 2011, and 7 percent – in 2012.

Concerning the Karabakh conflict settlement, President Sargsyan said Armenia’s position on the issue is acceptable to the world.

“The whole world knows that the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh can not be a part of Azerbaijan. I am pleased that over the years we have not moved away from our principles,” Serzh Sargsyan noted.

Speaking about the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, he reminded the audience of his previous visit to Lebanon where the Armenian community opposed initiative of signing protocols with Turkey.

“My brothers and sisters from Beirut thought we were going to make concessions, they thought that we had forgotten the fact of Genocide, and worried that the Armenian-Turkish protocols represented the interests of Turkey. Many said that the protocols are pro-Turkish. If there are people who continue to think so, I want to ask them why Turkey is not ratifying the protocols.”