YEREVAN, OCTOBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan on October 13 received a delegation of the Galouste Gulbenkian Foundation. The delegation was led by Martin Essayan - the Foundation's Board Director, Head of UK Branch and Armenian Communities Department, G. Gulbenkian's great-grandson. The prime minister stated that G. Gulbenkian's activity and merit are appreciated in Armenia, while his charitable work has become an instructive example and experience. T. Sargsyan attached great importance to the Galouste Gulbenkian Foundation's work for the benefit of the Armenian nation and its contribution to the preservation of Armenian identity and the development of Armenian studies. In the words of T. Sargsyan, it is necessary to create opportunities for cooperation between the RA National Competitiveness Council (set up on his initiative and through collaboration of the public and private sectors) and the Gulbenkian Foundation, particularly in the implementation of educational projects. In this connection he presented the educational projects of Luys Foundation, including the assistance programs for Armenian youth studying at best universities of the world. The prime minister restated the RA government's high opinion about the activities of the Gulbenkian Foundation and underlined the fact that the Foundation has provided assistance to independent Armenia over the past 18 years. He expressed a hope that the visit of the Foundation executives will give impetus to mutual cooperation and ensure continuity of the Foundation's work useful to the nation.

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