YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan who is on an official visit in the Russian Federation visited Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) on March 14. The correspondent of “Armenpress” reports from Moscow Serzh Sargsyan was met by rector of the Institute Anatoly Torkunov. Following the tour inside the Institute President Sargsyan met with the students and professors of the MGIMO.

At the beginning of the meeting Rector Anatoly Torkunov read the decision of MGIMO’s scientific board, by which the President of Armenia was awarded with the title of Honorary Doctor of MGIMO. Introducing the guest the rector stressed that the visit of the Armenian President to the MGIMO is a sign of great respect towards the students and particularly the Institute.

Anatoly Torkunov noted that the MGIMO is historically in debt to Armenian families, particularly the Lazarians, for their contribution. He also mentioned that the Institute’s ties with Armenia have been preserved also during the post-Soviet years. 150 Armenian citizens have graduated from the MGIMO since Armenia’s independence and currently 50 students are studying there.

“Your visit takes place on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Russia. Armenia is Russia’s most important ally not only in the post-Soviet area but throughout the world”, Anatoly Torkunov said, addressing to the President of Armenia.

President Sargsyan thanked that scientific board of the Institute for the title and stressed that MGIMO has had an essential contribution to preparing prominent diplomats, public and political figures, businessmen and journalists.

“Today I would like to express my satisfaction with the key contribution the MGIMO has had in preparing cadres for the Republic of Armenia who applied and continue to apply their knowledge gained in this key educational institution”, Serzh Sargsyan said.