WASHINGTON. – Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan is on official visit in the U.S. since Thursday. On Friday he was on the Ellis Island and visited the Immigration Museum.

Sargsyan attended the exhibition devoted to the Armenian Genocide and the memory for our compatriots, who survived and immigrated to the U.S. through the Ellis.

Chairman of National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) Nasser Kazeminy, NECO board members and representatives of the Armenian community in the U.S. met the president, President’s press service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Kazeminy awarded Sargsyan with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for the contribution to the development of the relations between Armenia and the U.S. and for preserving peace in South Caucasus. Armenian President is the first foreign president to be awarded with the medal.

“This is a man who struggled for his state, whose ideas on freedom and prosperity of Armenia have the support of the U.S. and other states. Most important is that he launched a dialogue of peace and tolerance with his neighbors, bringing his nation closer to the peace,” Kazeminy stated.

“I accept the reward with excitement and pride. I take it as the Armenians’ success estimation in these far lands and as a symbol of U.S.-Armenian friendship and cooperation. I realize that I am the first foreign president to be awarded with the medal,” Sargsyan stated.

Kazeminy organized reception after the award ceremony.