December 11, 2015 - 17:40 AMT
Deputy speaker talks Genocide with Argentina, Paraguay Presidents

Deputy speaker of the National Assembly Eduard Sharmazanov attended Thursday, December 10, the inauguration ceremony of Argentina's President-elect Mauricio Macri to meet with the latter afterwards.

Congratulating Macri on behalf of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Sharmazanov hailed the country's efforts in helping the local Armenian community, as well as Macri's personal contribution to the development of bilateral ties between Argentina and Armenia.

The Deputy Speaker also expressed appreciation for organizing events in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide centennial in Buenos Aires.

Following the inauguration, Sharmazanov also met with the country's Vice President Gabriela Michetti and Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra. The latter stressed the local Armenian community's role in Argentina’s life, expressing confidence that “the community unites two friendly nations separated by the ocean.”

Also, on Thursday, Sharmazanov met with Paraguayan President Horacio Manuel Cartes Jara in Buenos Aires.

At the meeting, the Armenian deputy speaker expressed satisfaction over Paraguay's recent recognition of the Genocide.

“The best way to prevent genocides is to condemn them,” Sharmazanov noted, adding that the civilized world has no right to refrain from condemning past crimes.

The Paraguayan President, in turn, expressed solidarity with the Armenian people on the Genocide centennial.