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The Speaker of the Knesset of the State of Israel Yuli-Yoel Edelstein received the delegation led by the Chair of the RA NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Artak Zakaryan.

Welcoming the Armenian delegation, Yuli-Yoel Edelstein highlighted the development of the inter-parliamentary relations, the centuries-old friendship between the Armenian and Jewish peoples and expressed his readiness, from now on to make efforts for cooperation in different spheres, particularly underlining the spheres of culture, tourism, economy and especially agriculture. The Speaker of the Knesset also emphasized the role of the Armenian and Jewish communities in the development of the states.

Yuli-Yoel Edelstein reaffirmed his position that sooner or later the Knesset should recognize the Armenian Genocide and expressed regret that until now the Armenian Genocide had not been officially recognized by the Knesset, however, in the recent period a number of steps had been taken in that direction.

“I am not so proud of the fact that Israel had not yet recognized the Armenian Genocide, but, nevertheless certain advance had already been in that direction,” the Speaker said.

Mr Edelstein also expressed hope that in future it will be possible to find solutions for non-regulated conflicts. The Speaker of the Knesset promised to support the frequent organization of the meetings between the high-ranking officials between Israel and Armenia, as well as the maintenance of the inter-parliamentary-active relations.

Thanking for the invitation and reception, Artak Zakaryan also stressed the role of the inter-parliamentary contacts in the development of the inter-state relations in the implementation of the joint programmes in the spheres of mutual interest, as well as in terms of political long-lasting cooperation. Artak Zakaryan highlighted the inter-parliamentary Memorandum of Understanding signed recently by the RA NA Speaker Galust Sahakyan and the Speaker of the Knesset Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, as well as the Armenian-Israeli International Public Forum formed in Yerevan as a legal and public wide basis for the development and expansion of the activities of the inter-parliamentary Friendship Groups. Artak Zakaryan expressed hope that the results of the Second Forum to be held in Tel Aviv on January 19 could be tangible and will promote step by step the public mutually beneficial strengthening in a number of spheres.

Artak Zakaryan also presented the situation in the region and the Armenian positions on their solution.

At the end of the meeting Mr Edelstein wished success to the parliament of Armenia in the organization of the upcoming elections and expressed hope that in the newly elected parliament the Armenian-Israeli relations will be active.

On the same day at the Knesset session the Speaker of the Knesset welcomed the Armenian Parliamentary Delegation with a special address.

The address particularly, reads:

“Members of Knesset,

It is now my pleasure to welcome the delegation from the Armenia-Israel parliamentary Friendship Group. Welcome, distinguished guests, to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, and to the Knesset, the seat of our democracy.

The Armenian and Jewish peoples have long histories that have taken similar paths. During the twentieth century, our peoples each suffered a terrible tragedy that threatened their very survival. We view the Armenian people as our friends, and we hope to continue developing our ties and cooperation in a variety of fields including culture, tourism and the economy, especially agriculture.

This is the second distinguished delegation from Armenia to visit Israel in the past year. We hope to increase the number of bilateral visits by members of parliament in order to better learn about and understand each other.

Like Israel, Armenia also has large Diaspora community, especially in the United States and France. And like the Jewish people, the Armenians maintain strong ties with their h օ meland. The Armenian Diaspora is far greater than that of Armenia itself, which was the situation faced by the Jewish people, too, for many years. We look forward to cooperating with you in this field, as well, and to sharing knowledge and experience on ways of maintaining the connection to the Diaspora.

On behalf of the Knesset, its Members, and myself I would like to extend you a warm welcome and wish you an enjoyable stay in Israel and Jerusalem.

My blessings to you and your great people!”