ORGANIZATION WORKS OF THIRD ARMENIA-DIASPORA FORUM DISCUSSED AT MEETING HELD BY RA KOCHARIAN

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Sept 29 2005

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Issues concerning
organization works of the third Armenia-Diaspora Forum were discussed
at the September 28 working meeting held by RA President Robert
Kocharian, in which the Prime Minister of the republic, NA Deputy
Chairman Vahan Hovhannisian, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs,
Culture and Youth Issues, the Chairman of the State Committee on
Physical Education and Sport, other officials participated.

President Robert Kocharian emphasized that holding of the 2006
Armenia-Disapora Forum will coincide with the 15th anniversary
of the independence of Armenia, and this will be a good occasion
for discussing the passed way and further activities with all the
Armenians.

Two months ago the head of the country instructed the Foreign Minister
to start preliminary discussions with Diasporan organizations. Robert
Kocharian said that there are already positive responses what is a
good stimulus for starting the organization works of the forum more
practically and quickly.

The President mentioned that, first, it’s necessary to fix what
was discussed at the previous forum, what was implemented and
what wasn’t. “Rather great work has been done and now practical
negotiations should be started with all organizations of Diaspora to
justify terms and regulations of the forum, and also the main slogan
should be thought about,” Robert Kocharian said.

The President mentioned that active negotiations with parties and
organizations should be started in Armenia as well for providing a
possibly wide involvement of the forum.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the President’s Press Office, Robert
Kocharian attached importance to necessity of envisaging some money
from the year state budget for holding the forum at a high level.

Vartan Oskanian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, presented briefly
results of preliminary discussions. It was proposed to make the idea
of a practical national program of development of rural communities of
Armenia till 2010 a theme of discussian at the Armenia-Diaspora Forum,
among programs already in the process. According to the President
of the republic, the implementation of such a program will support
strengthening of rural settlements, allow to reduce to minimum
dissociation among the city of Yerevan and rural settlements.

Such a program coincides completely with the strategic program of
overcoming poverty.

The republic President instructed to start preparation works of
the third Armenia-Diaspora Forum with all its strength, to form the
working program within one-week term mentioning strictly terms of
implementation and those responsible. The President will periodically
hold discussions concerning the process of works.