By Mursi Saad El-Din Last week I had the pleasure of introducing HE Dr Rouben Karapetian, ambassador of Armenia, to a packed hall of both Armenian and Egyptian audiences. The ambassador was giving a lecture at the Housaper Armenian Club at Heliopolis. The subject of the lecture was "International Developments and Foreign Policy of Armenia in the Region of South Caucasus and the Middle East". The lecture went beyond the usual diplomatic spiel, since the Ambassador is the holder of a number of doctorates, including one in Arabic language and history. It was an in-depth, quasi- academic analysis of the policy of a country the geographical position of which has involved it in many political problems. The range of themes covered in the lecture was wide, but I have chosen to write about what HE mentioned about relations between Armenia and the Arab World. But before going into this, let me give a few facts about the history and civilisation of Armenia. Even before Christian times an Armenian empire was in existence and became one of the strongest powers in the ancient Near East. But like many other empires the Armenian empire went through ups and downs, going through periods of sovereignty and occupation, falling victim to the Mongols and Turks, to become part of the Soviet Union, and finally to declare its independence in 1990. The ambassador devoted a good part of his talk to the relations of his country with the Arab World, which go back to ancient times. But it was since the beginning of the 20th century that the Arab countries generally and Egypt in particular rendered assistance to Armenian refugees from the Ottoman yoke. In the words of the ambassador, "Armenians not only survived in the Arab countries, but they were given the opportunity to rise and become full citizens in their new homes, while preserving their national identity and establishing schools and sports clubs". Little wonder then that, since independence, the Republic of Armenia has been committed to improving relations with Arab States. The first Armenian embassies established abroad in 1992 were in the Arab World -- in Cairo, Damascus and Beirut. In 1999 a diplomatic mission was opened in Abu-Dhabi. In January 2005 a memorandum of mutual understanding between the Foreign Ministry of Armenia and the League of Arab States was signed. Since the establishment of relations Armenia and Egypt have singed more than 30 bilateral legal documents, agreements, protocols and memoranda of understanding. Currently more than 18 bilateral documents are under discussion. Cooperation between the two countries covers areas of economy, industry, agriculture, tourism, education and science. But there is another aspect to Egyptian-Armenian relations that should not be neglected: the contributions of Armenian-Egyptian citizens to Egypt. These are visible in many areas and fields, especially in art and education. Armenian schools, noted for their high standard of education, are open to Egyptians. There are many Armenian artists who have devoted their paintings to Egyptian subjects. Armenians play an important role in the jewelry industry. One of the best photographers in Egypt, Armand, is an Armenian. On a personal note, my relations with Armenia go back to the time when I was Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Cultural Relations. I was invited to the Festival of Armenian Art and Culture at Angar in Lebanon. On that occasion, and for a whole week, I had the chance to enjoy Armenian hospitality and was introduced to the folk art of Armenians in a most memorable experience. I also remember with relish my two visits to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. It was during the period of Soviet hegemony. Yet, inspite of the apparent Soviet authority, the Armenian identity was undoubtedly there to be seen and felt.
