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Time in Yerevan: 11:07,   28 March 2024

Visit of Prince of Order of Malta to Armenia is very important for us - Ambassador of Order of Malta to Armenia

Visit of Prince of Order of Malta to Armenia is very important for us - Ambassador of Order of 
Malta to Armenia

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 31, ARMENPRESS. Recently the delegation led by Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta Fra' Robert Matthew Festing has arrived in Armenia on an official visit. Ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta Jean-Michel Oughourlian talked about the further cooperation between the Order of Malta and Armenia in an interview with “Armenpress”.

-Mr. Oughourlian, what is your impression concerning this visit, what it gave to the sides?

-It was the first time in the 900 history of the Order of Malta that Prince visited Armenia which was very important for us. First of all, the Prince was very happy and satisfied with the reception. He was very impressed with Armenia and expressed a wish to expand the cooperation, develop the relations with Armenia in order that we try to show much more assistance to those structures with which we are cooperating here. We supply beds to hospitals as much as we can, for instance last year we have provided 50 beds to hospitals of Etchmiadzin and Gavar. The Prince was also very impressed by visiting the Genocide Memorial. He said after this visit he better acknowledges the atrocities committed by the Ottoman Turkey.

-What the expansion of cooperation supposes, what is expected in the future in the framework of cooperation?

-An important achievement was that an agreement was reached with Healthcare Minister Levon Altunyan to start a new project. We will send Armenia a special group of specialists in order to examine the possibility of reducing the cases of infant mortality at birth, how can they handle it. We have successfully carried out such project in Palestine, reduced the infant mortality cases by 2.9%. According to the project the mothers must undergo examination earlier. Our chief gynecologist of Italy and his team will arrive in Armenia. We will tour and will assess the overall situation. We may also send England’s top specialists who will assist children with hearing problems, they will examine to see whether there is a need of a device or a surgery.

-Mr. Oughourlian, you talked about specialists, is it expected to provide new equipment?

-We will bring specialists, then we will see what types of equipment are necessary to bring here, and it is possible, that, finally, we will be able to sent equipment. However, the latest the equipment, it will be much more difficult since they are very expensive, moreover, there should be relevant professionals who can understand those devices. The medicine is so advanced, it is quite complicated. You know that today a very big crisis exists in the world, and it is not so easy to find money for assistance. This is a long-term process, and we must step by step reach to it.

-Talking about the Genocide, the Prince said that there is no need to blame today’s Turkey for the actions of ancestors, what is your opinion on this issue?

-First of all, I want to say that we don’t intervene into politics, we are mainly engaged in charitable activities. Accepting the Genocide is very important, but it doesn’t mean that we must hate today’s Turks, I think he wanted to say this. In its turn, it doesn’t mean that the Turks must not accept that fact. For me it is a very sensitive issue since my family also became a victim of Genocide, my grandfather was crucified, my aunt was beheaded, and the other was handed as a slave to a Turkish family. I think, the justice must be restored, the Genocide must be recognized, but after that we must try to establish normal relations with them. But this will happen only when the Turks will accept their ancestors’ sins. Of course, the normal relations will contribute to the economic development of the country, but it is impossible unless they will admit the Genocide. It seems we are far away from that day.

-The Order of Malta is carrying out actions in the war zones, for instance it provides assistance to refugees of various states. What will you say about Nagorno Karabakh, where the situation is also tense especially after the recent events in April. Are there any plans over the NKR?

-I don’t have such information, maybe certain volunteers or doctors will be sent there, but I cannot say anything.

-It is already several years you are Ambassador of the Order of Malta to Armenia. According to you, what are the major problems existing in our country?

-I cannot judge on the problems or progress. There are three countries that I love and where I live – Armenia, France and Lebanon. All face the same problem: the youth is leaving the country for finding better jobs thus giving a preference to the US, Canada, Australia. Many from Armenia go to Russia. It is very sad to see that they are leaving instead of staying in and building Armenia. In my opinion this is a major issue. If a young man says he goes to abroad for finding better future, here there is nothing to do, you cannot prevent him. This is, perhaps, the issue of jobs, which is probably related with a number of factors – economic situation, closed borders, war situation and etc.

Interview by Syuzi Muradyan








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