Here are some highlights of the speech given by RA President Serzh Sargsyan yesterday in Beirut during a reception with members of the Lebanese-Armenian community.

"The Lebanese-Armenian community has been and remains the center of spiritual life of the Diaspora and its national-political activities, as well as the nourishing artery of enlightenment."

"I must note with satisfaction that we observe a growing interest in Armenia by Lebanese Armenians that is reflected in the number of requests for Armenian citizenship. If, in 2010, the number of requests we received was just 200, that number increased ten-fold in 2011 and is growing today. Naturally, it is understandable that receiving RA citizenship doesn’t mean permanently residing in Armenia. Having an Armenian passport is more of a legal bond with the state. A passport comes grants right and defines obligations."

"You will, I believe, agree that every country in the world has its share of problems. Their number in Armenia isn’t small. However, our achievements aren’t few in number either. Yes, today Armenia still feels your need, but it is also capable of assisting and supporting you.  The stable development and ascendency of our government dedicated to its people is irreversible. All the achievements of our 21 year-old independent state are the result of the endeavours and struggle of the ten million Armenians worldwide. Today, Armenia-Diaspora cooperation has taken on a new qualitative and strategic significance."

"We must be able to go forward in step with the times and build an Armenian future for our new generations; a united Armenia-Diaspora future. All of us must be guided by the axiom ‘who, if not I?’ rather than ‘why me?’"