Ways of promoting cultural and intellectual exchange between Armenia and Arab countries, including the UAE and the emirate of Sharjah in particular, were the focus of a meeting on Thursday between H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, who is on an official visit to the UAE.

Sheikh Sultan, who received Sargsyan and members of a high-level Armenian delegation at Al Badea Palace, expressed appreciation to the Armenian government and people who, he noted, have a passion for knowledge and science.

President Sargsyan hailed the strong ties with the UAE and noted that there are various ways of bolstering co-operation between the two countries.

Expressing his delight at visiting the UAE and learning about the vivid cultural movement in Sharjah, he noted that his meeting with the Ruler of Sharjah has largely contributed to the efforts being made to conserve the Armenian heritage and culture.

Sargsyan further praised Sheikh Sultan for making efforts in promoting culture as a vehicle for rapprochement between peoples of the world.

UAE officials who attended the meeting included H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Chairman of Department of Sea Ports & Customs; Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Corporation; Sheikh Khalid bin Esam Al Qasimi, Chairman of Department of Civil Aviation; Sheikh Salim bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Director of the office of Ruler of Sharjah; Dr. Ahmad bin Abdulla Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and head of the honorary mission accompanying the Armenian President; Khawla Al Mulla, Chair of the Sharjah Consultative Council; Dr. Jassim Al Qasimi, Ambassador of the UAE to Armenia, and others.

Armenian officials who attended the meeting included Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration Armen Gevorgyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Eduard Nalbandian, Minister of Economic Development and Investments Suren Karayan, Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, Armenian Ambassador to the UAE Gegham Gharibjanian and others.