MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
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PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
22-09-2006
Third Armenia – Diaspora Conference Concluded
The third Armenia Diaspora Conference concluded its activities on Wednesday,
September 20. More than 2,000 people from 40 countries attended the
three-day gathering.
The conference began on September 18 with opening speeches by President
Robert Kocharian, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, President Arkady
Ghoukassian of Nagorno Karabagh, as well as the heads of pan-Armenian
organizations. They addressed the various issues on the conference program,
as well as the general issues of Armenia-Diaspora agenda. (Statements can be
found at )
The second session, on the same afternoon, focused on Rural Poverty
Eradication – a program launched at the conference to encourage Diaspora
individuals and organizations to sponsor specific villages and undertake the
infrastructure rebuilding and economic development of Armenia’s border
communities. The first speaker at this session was Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan, who spoke about the impact of rural poverty on Armenia’s economic
development and emphasized the importance of such a pan-Armenian
undertaking. Sitting around the table were those who had already agreed to
sponsor a village, as well as those individuals and organizations, including
international NGOs, who are prepared to partner with the program.
A decision was taken to create a Council with participation of the Diaspora
Secretariat to oversee the planning, organization and implementation of the
program. Implementation of the rural poverty eradication program will begin
in spring 2007.
Also, during a special meeting in the margins of the conference with the
representatives of organizations and communities, a decision was taken to
create a consultative body (composed of the same representatives) that would
ensure continuity between conferences by coordinating communication and
maintaining ties and links among the participants, and between the
participants and the Armenia Diaspora Secretariat.
The third session of the Conference began on the morning of Tuesday,
September 20, with the start of a forum entitled ‘New Answers to Old
Questions: Armenians in the 21st Century’. Tigran Torosyan, Chairman of the
National Assembly, made the opening statement.
Answers to Old Questions- Arm
The Forum consisted of four panels and concluded on Wednesday morning. Forty
speakers and discussants from eight countries addressed issues of culture
and identity, and their application to diasporas, to cooperation and
exchange, and specifically, to Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora.
During Panel 2 and Panel 3, Armenia-Diaspora relations were discussed from
the practical viewpoint. The participants were seeking answers to the
following questions: What direction can be given to future cultural and
socio-economic relations between Diaspora and homeland, as well as questions
having to do with emigration and repatriation.
The final panel entitled ‘A Look at Diaspora 2020’, featured four different
perspectives on what the Diaspora might look like in 2020, and how to arrive
at more efficient Armenia-Diaspora relations.
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian delivered the Forum’s concluding statement.
At the conclusion of the conference, a declaration was adopted. President
Robert Kocharian addressed the participants and thanked them for their
comments and input.
Armenia-Diaspora Third Conference
STATEMENT
Armenia-Diaspora Third Conference, which took place on the eve of a
historical event – 15th Anniversary of the Armenian independence, reiterates
our resolve and determination to promote in every possible way the
strengthening of Armenian Statehood, as a vital precondition for the
resolution of all problems faced by all Armenians and for our continuous
advancement.
The Third Conference takes note that in recent times, Armenia-Diaspora
relations and cooperation have been developing harmoniously, with reciprocal
trust and respect, and a solid base has been established for future
expansion and strengthening.
We have a common history, shared objectives and problems, priorities which
pertain to all Armenians and as well as those which are particular to
specific communities, and only through combined efforts, through the
consolidation of our human and material resources, will we be able to
resolve existing problems.
The Republic of Armenia, as a state, assumes with all its capacity and
power, the responsibility to provide the necessary conditions for every
Armenian to participate in state-building, and in Armenia’s strengthening
and development processes.
The Conference reaffirms that our national identity is indivisibly linked
with Christianity, and that the mission of the Armenian Church in the
spiritual and ethical life of the Armenian people, as well as in the
expansion and deepening of Armenia-Diaspora relations, is momentous and
significant.
The Conference approves the Rural Poverty Eradication Program and appeals to
all structures, organizations and to all our people as a whole to actively
participate in the planning, organization and implementation of the Program.
In our modern history, the greatest achievement of our people has been the
liberation of Artsakh, which is the expression of our people’s unwavering
resolve to defend our historic rights. The liberation of Artsakh has become
the clear evidence of our unity, solidarity and commitment.
We reiterate our total responsibility and complete support for the right of
the people of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic to live in freedom and to
exercise their right of self-determination.
After Armenia regained independence, the Armenian Diaspora found itself in a
new situation and throughout the period when serious and risky challenges
confronted the newly independent Armenian state, demonstrated unprecedented
material, political and moral support to our country.
Concurrently, the issues faced by the Diaspora remain mostly the same. These
are preservation and continuity of national identity, traditions and culture
in the various host countries, in different religious and ethno-cultural
conditions. Toward that end the Republic of Armenia lends its total support
to Diaspora.
The Conference reaffirms its resolve to attain international recognition of
the Armenian Genocide in all countries. The Conference welcomes and
expresses its gratitude to all the just-thinking friends of the Armenian
people, whose efforts testify the growing feeling of responsibility on the
part of the international community for the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide.
We are confident that principles of democracy, human rights and liberty are
the priorities for a properly functioning state and social structures.
Our fundamental values are peace, friendship and mutually beneficial
cooperation among peoples, the right of individuals and peoples to live in
liberty and exercise freedom of speech and faith.
We are resolved and determined to protect our national rights and interests
in the 21st century, to enforce peace and unity, to solve our problems, to
fulfill our dreams together in the name of our people, for the safe and
secure development and advancement of our homeland.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
