On March 20, the Committee on Cultural Diplomacy launched its first session at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.

Prominent representatives of Armenian culture from different spheres are involved in the commission on a voluntary basis.

In his opening remarks, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ara Aivazian presented the objective of the initiative and the main directions of work, emphasizing that today more than ever it is important to diversify as much as possible and to promote international cooperation, particularly in the field of culture. “Culture is the platform through which the most effective bridge is created between different countries; big and small, near and distant, on which cooperation, mutual understanding and, finally, friendship are built. Culture is by far the most effective weapon in the diplomatic toolkit.”

Armenian culture and art have created and continue to create lasting values for centuries. Due to our artists our culture has created cultural works and monuments of art, which are truly considered to be the gems of universal cultural heritage and are of great importance.

We are living in very difficult times, and once again I would like to emphasize that Armenia today more than ever must intensify its involvement in the international arena. Through culture, we must give a new understanding, a new sonority to Armenia in the international arena. I think that everyone should have ambitions to achieve the goal through art and culture, so that Armenia is perceived in the international arena as a cultural center of our region. We can do it”,- noted the FM of Armenia.

Maestro Tigran Mansuryan, elected as Honorary Chairman of the commission particularly emphasized in his speech: “It is really a very unusual situation when the words diplomacy and art come together as a whole. This is the reality we are all facing: yesterday we were at home, with our work-life concerns, now we have to enter the world of diplomacy. This is imperative for today's reality and I fully welcome this work program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the goals it pursues.  I heartily greet all of us, I am sure that we can do our best, maybe, more in this direction, both individually and together.”

Welcoming the launch of the commission, the Director of the Protocol and Foreign Relations Department of the Holy Mother See His Holiness Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan mentioned: “Our culture has indeed been the most powerful weapon, and today we need that weapon to be used for peaceful purposes.”

During the discussions following the remarks, the members of the Committee on Cultural Diplomacy discussed in detail the work to be carried out, the events to be initiated, and further programs within the framework of the committee.