On December 5 the 15th
sitting of the Inter-parliamentary Committee on Cooperation between Armenia-Russia started its work in the National Assembly. The issue of the participation of the deputies 
of the parliaments of the two countries in the events of the 20th
anniversary of the Spitak earthquake is on the agenda.
Opening the sitting the Co-Chairman of the Armenian side of the Committee Mr Aram Safaryan noted that still in Moscow in March the participants of the committee of the 14th sitting decided not to hold the next sitting in an ordinary format, but dedicate it to the events of the 20th anniversary of the 1988 disastrous earthquake. Mr Safaryan expressed content that as 20 years ago during these days too Mr Nikolay Ivanovich Rizhkov is in Armenia and with the Armenians.
Welcoming the members of the Inter-parliamentary Committee on Cooperation between Armenia-Russia in Armenia RA NA Speaker Mr Hovik Abrahamyan noted that the Committee was doing effective work directed to the development of the traditional friendly relations between two states. “I should note with content that the high ranking mutual visits at the level of parliaments greatly promote the successful and dynamic development. The official visit of the delegation of the National Assembly to the Federal Assembly passed in the atmosphere of unique warm and friendly understanding. I am sure that the direct and sincere dialogue that took place between the Speakers of the two chambers of the parliament of the Russian Federation and me will promote the closer cooperation between our parliaments.
During the meeting in Moscow with Mr Sergey Mironov, Speaker of the Federal Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, we came to a united conclusion how important are the regional ties between the marzes (regions) of Armenia and territorial subjects of Russia. As a direct continuation of our dialogue that issue is included in the agenda of the 16th sitting of the Inter-parliamentary Committee on Cooperation between Armenia-Russia, which will be held in Moscow.
The regular sitting of the Committee on Cooperation between Armenia-Russia is completely dedicated to the commemoration ceremonies of the 20th anniversary of Spitak earthquake. This fact confirms once again that the warm relations that exist between our peoples, means that you accept our pain as your own pain.
I would like especially to express my gratitude to Mr Nikolay Rizhkov, irreplaceable Co-chairman of the Russian side of the Committee, as due to his fervour, will and persistence the Committee works effectively for many years.”
Noting that in 1988 a terrible tragedy occurred in Armenia, for the elimination of its consequences the whole world helped our country, the NA Speaker Mr Hovik Abrahamyan confirmed that Armenia remembers the representatives of all peoples and especially the Russian people. Nevertheless, Nikolay Rizhkov’s name has been registered in the hearts of the Armenian people for the greatest support displayed during those severe days. The NA Speaker handed over a Medal of Honor to Mr Nikolay Rizhkov, expressing confidence that he will keep in his heart Armenia from now on too.
Mr Nikolay Rizhkov, Co-Chairman of the Inter-parliamentary Committee on Cooperation between Armenia-Russia, confirmed in his speech that they were friends of long years with the Armenian deputies. He expressed gratitude for the Medal of Honor, the highest award of the National Assembly, which is a great honor for him. Mr Rizhkov is the irreplaceable Co-Chairman of the Committee on Cooperation for 12 years and, according to his assessment, during 12 years there always existed only practical and friendly warm relationship, where never was confrontation, and they prompted each other the best ways of the solution of the issues, they have come to the same conclusion in all issues, always remembering that the Russian and Armenian friends were great friends and have been together through centuries.
Mr Rizhkov reminded that the Committee convenes sittings twice a year: in March in Moscow and in October in Armenia, but this time in March in Moscow it was decided to move the Yerevan October sitting into December and completely dedicate to the 20th anniversary of the disastrous earthquake, in order to have possibility to be together that day and that hour. “During those tragic days Russia was the first to help Armenia. During the past 20 years our sore has been healed over a little, we always remember that pain. Our people remember quite well that time, when they were mourning with the Armenian people for what happened. I have always said that the tragedy was not only of the Armenian people, but also of the whole planet, and its memory will pass through centuries, as the Tragedy of Pompey is remembered until now. I am sure that the memory of the innocent victims will always live in our hearts, as the gratitude towards those, who came to help Armenia after the earthquake, and were trying to overcome the aftermath,” said Mr Rizhkov. He also said that a year and a half ago the Russian Armenians applied him with a letter, proposing to build a monument on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the earthquake, and with this aim a Board of Trustees was set up headed by him. Seeing the model of the architect Fridrich Sohoyan (he also arrived in Yerevan in the delegation), the Board decided to ask him for that. Mr Nikolay Rizhkov handed to Mr Hovik Abrahamyan, the model of that monument, which will be opened in Gyumri on December 7 and the book “Bell of Memory” in Armenian and in Russian where official documents, as well as the memories of the participants of eliminating the aftermath of the earthquake are included.
Vice Speaker of the RF State Duma Mrs Lyubov Sliska, who recently joined the Committee, handed to those present the message of Mr Boris Gryzlov, Speaker of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, addressed to the RA President Mr Serzh Sargsyan and RA NA Speaker Mr Hovik Abrahamyan. The message says: “20 years ago on December 7, 1988 one of the most tragic events of Armenia’s history occurred, Spitak earthquake. It’s hard to express with words the scales of that big tragedy that happened in the ancient Armenian land, dozens of thousands of people died, hundreds of thousands injured and lost their houses.
At the hour of ordeal all republics of the Soviet Union helped Armenia: rescuers, doctors, builders, transport workers and military men came to Armenia for the elimination of the consequences of the disaster.
The earthquake put the people of Armenia before ordeal, and the people fully displayed its best features: unique resoluteness and will and greatest strength of spirit. In short period cities and villages, roads and bridges, churches and historical monuments were restored in Armenia.
During the past 20 years a new generation was brought up, which had to take steps for the prosperity of the country.
The tragic December days of 1988 are left for us not only a memory of those who died in our hearts, but also a symbol, of friendly mutual help and support, which united through long centuries the peoples of Russia and Armenia.”
The second issue of the 15th sitting of the Inter-parliamentary Committee on Cooperation between Armenia-Russia referred to the preparation of the 16th sitting of the committee. The Co-Chairman of the Committee from the Armenian side Mr Aram Safaryan and the Co-Chairman from the Russian side Mr Nikolay Rizhkov signed a protocol that in March 2009 the issues of the direct state of the inter-regional ties between the subjects of the Russian Federation and the marzes of the Republic of Armenia and perspectives of their development, as well as the procedure of the decisions adopted in the previous sittings by the committee. The Co-Chairman of the Committee from the Armenian side Mr Aram Safaryan and the Co-Chairman from the Russian side Mr Nikolay Rizhkov will prepare the discussion of the issue and the exact date.
