The international conference entitled “Armenian-Arab Relations: From the Armenian Genocide to the Current Challenges” will help deepen the relations between the two nations in the field of science. According to Armenpress, the conference was held on 25 April by the Institute of Oriental Studies at the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia and Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies.

“This international scientific conference is helping meet a key objective, that is, to seriously consider the ancient and friendly relations of the Armenians and Arabs once again. Our relations are also of major geopolitical significance. This conference will serve as a major step for further deepening of the relations between the two nations in the field of science,” Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the NAS RA Ruben Safrastyan said.

According to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Armen Papikyan, such initiatives provide the opportunity to understand the events that are taking place in Armenia’s neighboring countries and having an impact on the country from a scientific perspective. “After escaping the Armenian Genocide, thousands of our compatriots took shelter in Arab countries. We will always be grateful to the Arabs for providing the Armenians with an opportunity to start a new life. However, the Syrian crisis led to the decrease in the number of Armenians in Syria,” he said and added that there would be an analysis and recommendations for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the conference.

Ambassador of Egypt to Armenia Tarek Maati expressed gratitude for the cooperation for the establishment of diplomatic relations of Armenia with Arab countries and attached importance to the existence of the Institute of Oriental Studies in Armenia in terms of strengthening the relations between Armenians and Arabs. “The historic relations between Arabs and Armenians are hinged on mutual interests. I would like to state that throughout the decades, we have managed to build bridges for cooperation. In particular, Egypt attaches great importance to its relations with Armenia. The Armenian community of Egypt also plays a major role in the country. There are Armenian politicians, artists, economists and businessmen in Egypt,” he stated.

According to expert of the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies and scientific worker Atef Saadavi, such conferences serve as the best way for more improvement of the relations of Armenia with Arab countries. Armenia and many Arab countries share the same views, and based on these considerations, there is a need for more similar conferences.