VENICE, NOVEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. The role of the Mekhitarist Congregation is invaluable, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said at the meeting with Papal Legate for the Mekhitarist Congregation of Venice, Primate of the Armenian Catholic Church of Turkey, His Eminence Archbishop Levon Zekiyan, Armenpress correspondent reports.

“It’s a great honor for me to be here. I am sorry that the reason for my visit is connected with the recent flood, but on the other hand I am happy that no irreversible damage was caused. The Mekhtarist Congregation plays a great role. At a time when our identity was about to the eliminated in the homeland, the Congregation became the place where our history, science, language and art were studied. It became an important scientific center to communicate with our roots. I am very excited to be here. I am confident that the Mekhitarist Congregation, as a symbolic monument of science and culture, will continue playing its practical role for a long time”, the Armenian PM said.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arrived in Italy on an official visit on November 20. He started his trip from Venice. The PM visited the Mekhitarist Congregation is the St. Lazarus Island, got acquainted with the situation there following the recent powerful flood that hit the city.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan