From 16 to 18 March, State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) Grigory Martirosyan is on a working visit to Lebanon. The delegation led by the State Minister also includes head of the Shahumyan regional administration Gagik Martirosyan.
As reported the Government of Artsakh to NEWS.am, on 16 March, State Minister G. Martirosyan met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Lebanon Vahagn Atabekyan and employees of the Armenian embassy. Among the participants of the meeting were representative of the ARI Foundation for Investment Projects Beniamin Bchakchyan and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Artsakh to the Middle East Garo Kebabjian. Later, the participants were joined by representatives of the administrative bodies of the three traditional Armenian political parties in Lebanon. Gagik Martirosyan presented the latest socio-economic and political developments that unfolded in Artsakh, and the participants discussed the Armenian Diaspora’s involvement in Artsakh’s development, as well as various issues related to the various opportunities for cooperation for that purpose.
Afterwards, the State Minister met with representatives of the Lebanon and central committees of Armenian organizations. The latest developments in the social, civic and sports and culture sectors of Artsakh and the importance of and opportunities for the Diaspora’s involvement in those sectors were discussed according to the organization’s sector-specific interests and activities. Martirosyan highly appreciated the patriotic activities of the traditional political parties and organizations operating in Lebanon and their commitment to support the homeland and all Armenians.
That same day, the State Minister also met with the leadership of ARI Artsakh Roots Investment Fund. During the meeting, the participants discussed the continuity of the home construction project in the Aghavno community of Kashatagh region (Ariavan district) and the steps to end talks over the launch of the Ariavan project in Karvatchar and conclusion of relevant agreements (all this is part of the agenda of the State Minister’s visit to Lebanon). The parties attached importance to the cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Artsakh and ARI.
On 17 March, Martirosyan gave a press conference in Beirut. Among the attendees were Armenian media representatives, including the Armenian news section of Lebanon’s OTV multilingual television company, Voice of Van and Radio Sevan radio stations, as well as the editors of Ararat, Zartonk and Aztag newspapers. The State Minister presented the goal of his visit, clarified the latest developments unfolding in Artsakh and answered questions from journalists.
After the press conference, the delegation led by Grigory Martirosyan left for Zahlé where the State Minister paid a visit to the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church (belonging to the Lebanese Diocese of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia) and talked to the local spiritual leader. Later, Martirosyan visited the factory belonging to Gardenia Grain D’or where he met with the company’s founding businessman Nicola Georges Abou Fayssal and got acquainted with the factory.
State Minister Martirosyan and Fayssal discussed the opportunities for investments in Artsakh’s regions and the prospects. In his turn, Fayssal presented the investments that his company has already made in Armenia and the future similar projects.
At the end of the day, Fayssal hosted a lunch in honor of the State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh.
