Always positive, cheerful, bright and optimistic – that is the description of the Armenian cross-stones (Armenian: Khachkar, cross-stones are memorial stones, often in the form of stelae or wall plaques). These characteristics of his historical hobbyhorse aptly describe Eduard Saroyan, who initially served as KAAD's contact person in Armenia for many years and now plays a key role in the work of the partner organisation.

Eduard Saroyan (born in 1954) studied philology – first at the Pedagogical Institute in Kirovakan and then at Yerevan State University. From 1977 to 1984, he was head of the Cultural Information Department of the National Library in Yerevan, after which he became involved in publishing and educational work, for example in the cultural initiative "SCHEM" e. V., as founder and board member of the Free University of Yerevan, in the European Forum for Freedom in Education e. V. (EFFE) and since 1993 as chairman of the Armenian-German Society (ADG) e. V.

From 1997 to 1998, he contributed his extensive experience in press and information work to politics as Deputy Minister of Press and Information of the Republic of Armenia. After this engagement, he founded Arminius Reisen in order to pass on his enthusiasm for his country and its history to tourists. A task that is still important to him today.

He has remained active in educational work and is a member of the St Paul Academy (SAP, Germany), was a lecturer and board member of the Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR) in Yerevan and is co-founder (and since 2006 President) of the German University in Armenia (DUA).

For his ongoing commitment to the KAAD, Eduard Saroyan was honoured with the KAAD's "Bene Merenti" medal at the 2018 Annual Academy.