A cooperation agreement was signed today at the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Greece between the Democritus University of Thrace and the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia, establishing a chair of Armenian language and culture in Greece at the university, starting the process of studying and teaching the Armenian language and culture.
The contract was signed by the rector of the Democritus University of Thrace, Greece, Professor Fotios Maris, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Greece, Tigran Mkrtchyan. The center’s establishment took place with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia.
The event was attended by several officials, including the Vice-Chairman of the Greece-Armenia Friendship Group of the Greek Parliament, Mrs. Zoe Constantopoulou, head of the “Freedom Path” faction, Mrs. Nina Kasimati, a member of the Greece-Armenia Friendship Group and the SYRIZA Party, from the academic field, as well as Armenian representatives of the spiritual class, community structures, and other guests.
Tigran Mkrtchyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Greece said in his speech that the event is of historical significance, as it is the first time that a center for the study of armenology is being established in Greece, which takes place at the initiative of the RA Embassy and with the support of the RA KGSMS.
“Cooperation with higher education institutions aims to turn bilateral contacts into the development and expansion of long-term and perspective ties in the scientific field, which will be the basis for strengthening Armenia-Greece relations,” the ambassador noted.
According to him, the idea of the Armenian Studies Center has matured over time. The RA Ambassador emphasized that the establishment of the Center for Armenology at Democritus University is not entirely accidental; it is a decision made as a result of a series of discussions based on the critical fact that the university has sufficient potential and great interest in developing armorology.
The vibrant Armenian community and the church in the region are also important, and they will support the center’s work from now on. Ambassador Mkrtchyan especially emphasized that the university is located in a strategically important region and has well-developed traditions of oriental studies.
Professor Photios Maris, for his part, noted that Armenian language and culture, as well as Armenian history, are within the university’s interests, and the agreement signed today officially opens excellent opportunities for studies dedicated to Armenian studies. He expressed his belief that the works’ effectiveness will be visible soon and will be a stable basis for the academic cooperation of friendly Armenian and Greek peoples.
