Saturday, 30 October 2004
Today RA Prime Minister A. Margaryan has received the crew of Cilicia sailing-ship, which was back to homeland after a 4-month sail.
In welcoming all the participants of the trip, the Prime Minister thanked them for successful completion of the first stage of their historical voyage. He emphasized the importance of their undertaking in respect of raising international awareness of the Armenian statehood and in terms of all-Armenian consolidation. The Prime Minister noted that the navigation and the privations suffered by the crew had been followed with pride and excitement in the homeland. He went on to pledge his possible support for the next stage planned for May, 2005. Mr. A. Margaryan stressed the necessity of further expanding and strengthening Ayax Club and assured the members of crew of his readiness to back their efforts towards this end.
Karen Balayan, Captain of Cilicia, Mr. Zori Balayan, writer and chronologist of the trip, as well as the other members of the crew expressed their sincere appreciation of the assistance extended by the Prime Minister and the government during the navigation. By briefing the Prime Minister on the contacts had with the local population of about 30 sea-ports called at during the voyage, including the Armenians, they expressed the hope that, assisted by the State, they would manage to complete Cilicia
