Yerevan, November 24, The Norwegian Honorary Consul to Armenia, Timothy Straight was awarded, by King Harald V of Norway, the Order of Merit Knight First Class of the Kingdom of Norway. The Norwegian ambassador to Russia and Armenia Knut Hauge (residence-Moscow) performed the ceremony, NEWS.am correspondent reported.

This was the first Norwegian knighting in Yerevan known to history. The Ambassadors of Germany, Hans-Jochen Schmidt, UK, Charles Lonsdale, USA, Marie L. Yovanovitch, other diplomats and friends attended the ceremony.

The Norwegian Ambassador to Armenia Knut Hauge delivered a speech, thanking Tim Straight for his service to the Kingdom, he also stressed that Armenia and Norway have developed warm relations and will continue to do so.

Sir Timothy Straight’s speech was gracious, knightly and humble. “I’ve lived in Armenia for ten years, this is home, I like Armenians, I like the country and the culture, I like the food and I plan to live here for at least as long as I already have.” He felt that all these years in Armenia have contributed to this honor and he expressed his gratitude to Armenia and its people.

Despite the significance of the event, the ceremony and the celebration did not involve rhetoric or exaggeration. All very Nordic in style; just right.