MINISTER OSKANIAN TO ADDRESS SECOND CONVENTION OF EUROPEAN ARMENIANS
armradio.am
06.09.2007 10:50
The European Armenian Federation has announced that Armenia’s Minister
for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Vartan Oskanian, will take part in the
upcoming second Convention of European Armenians. The Convention,
which will be held between October 15th and 16th in the halls of
the European Parliament in Brussels, will bring together Armenians
from throughout the European Union and around the world. This year’s
program will include, for the first time, many delegates from states
newly admitted to the Union.
The first session of the Convention will mark the 20th anniversary
of the European Parliament’s landmark resolution recognizing the
Armenian Genocide.
Among those who will be honored are those who spearheaded the adoption
of this human rights measure in the face of intense opposition, among
them former MEPs: Henri Saby, Ernest Glinne, Alfred Coste-Floret,
Paule Duport, Stan Newens, and Jaak Vandemeulebroucke.
During the course of the two-day Convention, European citizens
of Armenian heritage will have the opportunity to discuss among
themselves the challenges Armenia and Armenians face in a rapidly
changing Europe, and to share their views and priorities on these
issues with Union Union political leaders.
In addition to Minister Oskanian, many other distinguished guests will
participate in the Convention, including many Armenian ambassadors
serving in Europe, as well as, very notably, Mr. Hugues Mingarelli, the
European Commission negotiator in chief for the European Neighbourhood
Policy action plan for Armenia. Mrs Antonia Arslan, the Italian
Armenian intellectual, who wrote the best seller, "the Lark Farm,"
has also confirmed her participation.
European experts, scholars, Armenian organizations leaders, MEPs and
European Commission officials will discuss on Union policy on issues
such as the EU’s partial freezing of negotiations with Turkey, and
the evolution of the Union’s relations with Armenia and the entire
South Caucasus region.
"The Convention in the halls of the European Parliament is a unique
opportunity to raise awareness about issues of European Armenian
concern, among European policy-makers," said Hilda Tchoboian, the
Chairperson of the European Armenian Federation.