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It is with great pleasure that I participate in tonight's event, at this historic moment for Narek Schools and the Armenian community of Cyprus in general. The completion of 50 years of operation of this educational institution proves the commitment and the long-lasting effort of the Armenian community for progress and upgrading of the educational, social and cultural presence in Cyprus, something of which we are all very proud. In this very difficult effort, we as a State stand as helpers and supporters, and we feel particularly proud and particularly blessed for your contribution to Cyprus and Cypriot society.
Looking back at the historical path of Armenian education in Cyprus, we cannot but admire and learn from the zeal and unceasing effort of our Armenian community of fellow citizens to provide the children and youth of the Community with the highest possible level of education and at the same time to protect and preserve their traditions, customs and traditions.
Your commendable work abounds with examples of this zeal and despite the difficulties, challenges and obstacles that arise from time to time, the course of Armenian education continues unbroken, starting from the Vardanants Armenian School and the Shushanyan Parthenagogue in Nicosia and "travelling" to today and the Nareg schools, which include schools in Limassol, Larnaca and Nicosia, with the one in Famagusta waiting patiently for us to return.
In this difficult journey, the State has always been there to help and accompany us. Besides, it is well known that I had the honour of coming to sign the visitors' book that was first signed in 1972 by the then President Archbishop Makarios, when the school we are in today was opened for the first time. The State granted the land and made a decisive political and financial contribution to its construction. With the subsequent construction, on the same site, of the Holy Church of Our Lady, the Armenian Metropolis, the Armenian Genocide Memorial and finally the renaming of the street to Armenia, the area has truly become the heart of the Armenian community of Cyprus. It is for this reason that the Mayor of Strovolos is here today, who, I am sure, is very proud.
As a State, we fully and actively support the excellent work carried out by the School Ephorate of the Armenian Schools, and we will continue to do so through the close cooperation of the Ministry of Education with the Armenian community in general and with the sole aim of providing the young people of the community with the educational level that will offer them the guarantees for a promising future for themselves and for our society in general.
Dear children, teachers and friends, I would like to assure you that both on a personal level and as a Government, we stand by you, our Armenian compatriots, and we will continue to place the needs for modernization and upgrading of Armenian schools among our highest priorities. And not only of the schools, but of the community in general. The doors of the Presidential Palace are always open for you to discuss, to see how we can strengthen your struggle through initiatives of the state, through joint efforts.
I would like to congratulate once again all of you for the commendable work you do in the field of education and for the so much you offer to the Cypriot society. I wish you every progress in your lives and a good career. Surely the best is yet to come.
(PM/AF)
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