RA FOREIGN MINISTER ON PROGRAM OF ARMENIA-DIASPORA FORUM 2006
By Tamar Minasian

AZG Armenian Daily
06/09/2006

On September 5, RA foreign minister Vartan Oskanian met with the
leadership of RA National Academy of Science. The participants of
the meeting were aimed to discuss the program of Armenia-Diaspora
Forum 2006 envisaged for September 18-20. Within the framework of
the forum "New Responses to Old Questions. The Armenians in the 21st
Century" two-day seminar will be held. Mr. Oskanian informed that it
is expected that the issues of the state, the national identity, the
business relations between Armenia and Diaspora, the migration issues,
as well as the issues of 2020 Diaspora prospects will be discussed.

Mr. Oskanian emphasized the importance of the forum and expressed
hope that the present will take active part in the abovementioned
activities and the discussions, as well as make suggestions for the
settlement of various issues.

In response to the question of Karlen Dallakian about the state
evaluation of the activities carried out by the World Armenian
Congress from the viewpoint of the relations between Armenia and
Diaspora, Mr. Oskanian stated that big sums and efforts have been
invested in the successful activities of that organization and there
are certain results, thought the organization fails to justify the
efforts spent. As an objective reason, he stated that frequently
the interests of various communities of Diaspora clash between each
other. At the same time he said that The World Armenian Congress is
not the only organization that unites Armenia with Diaspora, and the
state can’t be prejudiced to such organizations.

As for historian Ashot Melikian’s concern about the approach of
RA authorities to the issue of Javakhk, Mr. Oskanian said that
they can’t remain indifferent to the given issue, to the fate of
the Georgian-Armenians and they take certain steps to improve the
situation, though it’s an inner issue of Georgia.

The participants of the meeting also touched upon the tense relations
between Antialias and St. Etchmiadzin, the correct choice of the
programs broadcasted over RA Public TV’s Pan-Armenian network, as well
as the issue of double citizenship. Mr. Oskanian stated that all the
abovementioned issues will be included in the agenda of the forum.