An interview with The Times of H.E. Mr. Vahram Kazhoyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Vietnam on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the National Day of the Republic of Armenia

21 September, 2021

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the National Day of the Republic of Armenia (September 21, 1991-September 21, 2021), in an interview with The Times, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia in Vietnam Vahram Kazhoyan said The two countries need to cooperate in tourism and education in the near future.

After declaring independence on September 21, 1991, the Republic of Armenia has pursued a peaceful, bilateral, and multilateral foreign policy and established diplomatic relations with most countries in the world, including Diplomatic relations with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, established in Moscow on July 14, 1992. Armenia became a member of the United Nations on March 2, 1992. After that, Armenia also became a member of many international and regional organizations such as: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Economic Union Eurasia (EAEU), Council of International Schools CIS ...

The Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora cooperation was established in the early 1990s, and within the framework of the economic, political, and foreign relations, the role and support of Armenian philanthropists and charitable organizations is invaluable in the process of opening diplomatic and consular missions of the Republic of Armenia in a number of countries.

- Could you please tell us about the cooperation achievements that the two countries Vietnam - Armenia have achieved in the past time?

Several agreements have been signed between the Governments and various Ministries of our two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations on July 14, 1992. Armenia-Vietnam political relations are currently at a stage of brilliant development. The opening of the Armenian Embassy in Vietnam in 2013 has created a new impetus for the relations between the two countries.

Culture, tourism, information technology, education and economic - trade relations are the common concerns of the two countries and the development of cooperation in these areas greatly contributes to the strengthening of the two countries, the existing friendship between Armenia and Vietnam.

It is an interesting fact that Armenian merchant ships have sailed to Southeast Asia since the 12th century. There were many Armenians present in northern Vietnam in the 12th to 17th centuries, where many Armenian merchant ships were docked and as a result a number of Armenian merchants were established in Northeastern Vietnam. The documents of that period tell us that the maritime flag of Armenia was used by European nations to avoid difficulties when entering port cities where there was an Armenian presence.

The next important phase of Armenian-Vietnamese friendship is clearly demonstrated by Armenia's support to the Vietnamese people in your national defense struggles. Among the Soviets were Armenians who helped the Vietnamese people. After that, Armenia continued to help nearly 2,000 Vietnamese students to study at Universities and Colleges in Armenia in the period from the early 1950s to the early 1990s. Many of these students kept their memories. Nice memories of Armenia. Currently, they are the core force of the Vietnam - Armenia Friendship Association (VAFA), led by Mr. Nguyen Van Thuan, with whom our Embassy has established a very close and close relationship since the very beginning. the early days of the association.

One of the important milestones in Armenia-Vietnam relations was the visit of President Ho Chi Minh to Armenia on July 21-23, 1959. During this visit, President Ho Chi Minh officially met with Armenian leaders in Yerevan, including Mr. Suren Tovmassian, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Armenia, who later became Ambassador of the Soviet Union to Vietnam. President Ho Chi Minh also visited many places in Armenia. The Armenian people wholeheartedly welcomed and welcomed him.

- Could you please share your personal impressions about Vietnam?

I first visited Vietnam in December 1992 as a member of the first Armenian Delegation to Vietnam led by the Vice President of Armenia, during an official visit to Vietnam.

I must confess that when I arrived with my family at Noi Bai Airport, Hanoi in July 2019, I immediately recognized the tremendous changes and developments that had taken place in Vietnam. Even in my two years in Vietnam, I have not only witnessed the development and changes but also the rapid pace of those changes. Vietnam's record of eradicating poverty is truly astounding. Viet Nam's achievement of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals is one of the best results among the 193 UN Member States.

It is impossible to mention Vietnam without mentioning the country's rich history, beautiful natural and man-made landmarks, most importantly Vietnamese people, industrious, hospitable, and patriotic.

- During the Ambassador's term in Vietnam, what goals did you set for the relationship between the two countries?

I would like to emphasize that cooperation between the two countries in the political field is at a high level, especially within the framework of international organizations. I believe that the establishment of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Armenia can create a new impetus for the development and deepening of political, commercial - economic relations, expanding tourism exchanges as well as contributing to the promotion and further development of direct bilateral trade between the two countries.

My sincere wish remains to establish weekly direct flights between Hanoi and Yerevan and I believe that Vietnam Airlines, as a member of Sky Team, is perfectly suited to make this happen. Yerevan is a transit stop on flights to one of Europe's capitals.

- In order to strengthen the people-to-people ties between the two countries, what tasks and activities should we focus on?

In order to strengthen the relationship between the people of the two countries, it is necessary to promote and develop relationships directly related to human life such as tourism, culture and education. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia reached preliminary agreements for reciprocal visits between representatives of Armenian and Vietnamese tourism agencies and agencies in order to explore the attractions and tourism capacity of the two countries at the same time promoting tourism cooperation.

The Embassy of the Republic of Armenia also discussed with the Vietnamese side the possibility of opening a direct route from Yerevan to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, thereby increasing trade turnover between the two countries and increasing the number of tourists according to both direction.

The Embassy of Armenia also initiated and discussed the issues of establishing sister city relations between Yerevan - Hanoi and Gyumri - HCMC.

In the field of education, there is a need to increase the number of scholarships at secondary and higher education institutions in Armenia and Vietnam.

- Thank you Ambassador!

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