Monday, September 18 2023 11:15

ArmInfo.Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, together with his wife Anna Hakobyan, attended the opening  ceremony of the Concept Hotel of the Children of Armenia Fund and the  opening of the Arts, crafts and music festival in Debet village of  Lori Province, which aims to contribute to the increase of the  economic and touristic attractiveness of Lori.

The event was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan, Deputy  President of the National Assembly Ruben Rubinyan, MPs, ministers,  founder and chairman of Children of Armenia Charitable Fund Garo  Armen, Managing Director of COAF Liana Ghaltaghchyan and others.

In his speech, the Prime Minister welcomed the initiative of the  Children of Armenia Fund and noted that this is his second visit to  this region of Lori Province in the last 20 days.

"When we were on the way here, I was discussing with my wife that  there is practically no community in Armenia where I have not been as  the prime minister. It is very important for me because we visit all  kinds of places where there is work done or being done. Those working  trips help to better understand the potential of our country.

And I want to say that the conclusion that I had at the time of my  first visit to this center, that conclusion has now doubled, tripled.  The conclusion is as follows: we can use the development potential of  our country, we can do it only through education.

Why do I highly value the activities of the Children of Armenia Fund?  Also because it is not limited to the education of children,  teenagers, and young people. It applies the concept that everyone,  regardless of age, and all those who want to improve, improve their  skills is considered a beneficiary of education. But it is also very  important to help people so that they acknowledge to themselves the  need to learn more," said Nikol Pashinyan.

The Prime Minister noted that he came to Debet from Kotayk Province,  from the festival of Rural Life, where, in fact, the conversation was  about the same thing. "The biggest problems in our agricultural  sector start from the point where we don't admit to ourselves that we  don't know something and there is something we can learn. Therefore,  I am not ashamed and I do not get tired of saying this, everyone,  starting with the Prime Minister, continuing with Cabinet Members,  citizens, officials, military, if each of us does not first admit  when we wake up in the morning that we do not know something, it  means that there is a high probability that we will spend that day  ineffective.

Therefore, I am very happy to see the development of this smart  center. I am happy when I see the approach of representatives of our  Diaspora like Karo Armen, because I think that with their work they  also change the attitude of Armenia towards the Diaspora and the  attitude of the diaspora towards Armenia," said Nikol Pashinyan.

According to the Prime Minister, thanks to the Children of Armenia  Fund, "Tumo" Foundation and other similar programs, we are  reevaluating the word charity, because, in his opinion, it is very  important even for charitable purposes to invest in development  projects.

"And this is yet another development plan. This is a hotel that will  be available to everyone in this beautiful nature, and on the other  hand, the income it brings will be reinvested in further development  projects.  During our previous visit to Lori Province, we saw the  health center created by Children of Armenia Fund in Dsegh, which  made a great impression. It is very important that we have a new  architectural handwriting, a new approach, and new formulas for  organizing work. The COAF does this work very well, and it is my  pleasure to be here today on such a wonderful occasion," said Nikol  Pashinyan, thanking the Fund for implementing such projects.

"Yes, this is a new place that belongs to the community, to everyone,  which will bring its benefits to the development of Lori Province  and, in general, the Republic of Armenia. I thank all those people  who help us to learn more," concluded the Prime Minister.

The Concept Hotel and Conference Center located in the COAF SMART  Center will serve as a venue for recreational, professional and  social events, thus ensuring the continuity and expansion of COAF's  educational programs in Lori.

"For twenty years now, COAF has been creating many opportunities in  the rural communities of Armenia with its activities. With the launch  of COAF "Concept", we are not only reaping the fruits of our dream,  but also building a new future. It is the result of the powerful  potential of each member of our team, which is brought to life every  time thanks to unity and innovation. This is more than just a  structure. it is a beacon of hope, a symbol of our shared dreams and  a path to a bright future," Garo Armen, the founding chairman of the  "Children of Armenia" charity foundation (COAF), said in his opening  speech.

The COAF festival, hosting thousands of visitors in Debet, brings  together the musical talents of Armenia, regional producers and  artisans. It is held within the framework of the "Lori: Your Next  Direction" initiative, which is implemented with the support of the  "ITTD" program of the "EU for Business" initiative of the German  Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ).

During the festival, more than 30 local entrepreneurs, many of whom  are beneficiaries of economic development programs of COAF, present  their products in the exhibition section. Visitors have the  opportunity to get acquainted with and purchase teas and agricultural  products, clothes, care and beauty items, various handmade items -  bags, souvenirs, as well as entertainment services.