VARDAN OSKANYAN: THE FUTURE OF ARMENIA-DIASPORA RELATIONS DEPENDS ON
NEW GENERATION OF DIASPORA ARMENIANS

ARMINFO News Agency
September 20, 2006 Wednesday

The future of Armenia-Diaspora relations depends on the new generation
of the Armenians residing abroad, said Foreign Minister of Armenia
Vardan Oskanyan commenting on the 3rd All Armenian Forum Armenia-
Diaspora at the request of ArmInfo. The forum was completed, Wednesday.

He disagreed with the statements of some forum participants from
Diaspora that the forum has become a regular assembly of high-flown
words and good wishes. After the first Forum in 1999, much has been
done, even the things that seemed impossible in 1999. The present
Forum, particularly, discussed the program of village development
in Armenia. A special fund has been created which will become part
of the All Armenian Foundation "Hayastan" in 6-7 months. Due to it,
the telethons will now bring much more than $9-10 million.

As regards the relations with Diaspora on the whole, Vardan Oskanyan
said our past transferred from generation to generation is gradually
fading. "If we fail to become interesting for the new generation and to
show that we are still competitive in the region in the sphere of both
economy, democracy and information, we’ll lose it," the minister said.