HEBREW UNIVERSITY HOSTS
DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER OF ARMENIA
 

 
Mr Ruben Shugarian addressing the crowded room.
To his right is Professor Michael Stone.
His Beatitude, Torkom II, Armenian Patriarch of
Jerusalem,flanked by dignitaries, listen attentively
to the lecture by Mr. Ruben Shugarian
FULL REPORT
Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mr. Rouben Shugarian was met with widespread applause following his Nov. 26 lecture entitled “The Identity of Armenia,” hosted by the Hebrew University Armenian Studies Program.  In attendance were the head of the Department of Indian, Iranian and Armenian Studies Michael E. Stone, HB Torkom Manoogian, Patriarch of the Armenians in Jerusalem, Armenian Ambassador Dr. Edward Nalbandian, Ambassador of Israel to Armenia Ms. Rivka Cohen, Honorary Consul of Armenia in Jerusalem Mr. Tsolag Momjian. Professor S. Barzilai, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Humanities extended greetings on behalf of the University.  Mr. Shugarian spoke to a packed room, with people spilling out into the corridor. About 50 people were present from the Armenian Studies Program, from the University and Armenian communities and the general public.

Barzilai discussed the strong relations between the Hebrew University and Armenia, expressing delight with the success of the agreement of cooperation between HU and Yerevan State University.  Further, in his lecture, Mr. Shugarian discussed how to define Armenia’s role and identity in civilizational and geopolitical terms, in the post-Soviet period.  He stressed how “the security and foreign policy diversity of Armenia mirrors its civilizational and geopolitical diversity."

Armenian President Robert Kocharian appointed Mr. Shugarian to his current position as deputy foreign minister on Nov. 9, 1999.  He served as ambassador to the United States from 1992 until his appointment.

Hebrew University President Professor Menahem Magidor plans to visit Armenia next year as a guest of Yerevan State University rector Academician Radik Mardirosyan.