ARMENIAN LEADER MEETS DIASPORA REPS IN MOSCOW
Armenian Public TV
June 24 2008
Armenia
President Serzh Sargsyan, who is on an official visit in the Russian
capital Moscow, has met representatives of the Armenian community at
Moscow’s Ritz-Carlton hotel. The meeting was an unprecedented one: the
whole elite of the Armenian community has gathered in one building –
well-known intellectuals, scientists, economic and political figures,
and the best friends of the Armenians. President Sargsyan spoke about
three issues that worry the Armenian diaspora all over the world:
the political situation in Armenia, the peaceful settlement of the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict and Armenia-Turkey relations. He said that
he intends to take new steps to stimulate Armenian-Turkish relations
and to invite the Turkish president to Yerevan to jointly watch a
match between Armenian and Turkish national football teams. Lusine
Lazarian reports from Moscow.
[Passage omitted: correspondent gives details of hotel facilities,
representatives of the Armenian diaspora]
[President Serzh Sargsyan] The Armenians all over the world believe
that the Armenian community in Russia nowadays is the largest,
influential and serious community. This is true. At the same time,
the Armenian diaspora in Russia, unfortunately, is the least organized
one. Due to objective reasons there are no big structures, advocacy
organizations or unions here.
[Correspondent speaking over video of the meeting] Serzh Sargsyan said
everyone present in the hall must ensure that the Armenian diaspora
in Moscow has its new Lasorev Seminary and that the Armenians unite
their efforts. The president said that the Ministry of Diaspora,
which is being formed, can greatly contribute to this cause. Serzh
Sargsyan outlined a very important circumstance: not only the diaspora,
but the motherland itself is ready to overcome the challenges of the
21st century.
[President Serzh Sargsyan] Today Armenia has entered a new period
of reforms. I have said on numerous occasions that the solution
of problems that face Armenia and the success of our programmes is
possible only if all the Armenians unite their efforts. Up to the
present the diaspora played a major role in the establishment of
our state and economy. The time has come when Armenia’s increasing
opportunities allow us to say confidently: Not only the diaspora has
a role in Armenia’s development, but also Armenia has a great role
in solving the problems of the diaspora. I assure you that from now
on this will be the principle of Armenia-diaspora relations.
[Correspondent] The Armenian president considered it necessary to speak
about the three key issues facing the country with the representatives
of the largest Armenian community that lives outside the country.
[President Serzh Sargsyan] The first is the political situation
in Armenia. A political force, which months before the [19
February presidential] election clearly announced that it would
not accept any result of the election, except for its own victory,
is trying to destabilize the situation in the country via political
blackmailing. No-one has the capability to undermine stability in
our state via calls for the overthrow of the elected authorities,
threats and terrorizing.
[Correspondent] The second issue concerned Armenian-Turkish
relations. Serzh Sargsyan made clear the readiness of the Armenian
government to take new and non-traditional steps – opening the borders
and establishing a committee.
[President Serzh Sargsyan] In the future I intend to take new steps
to stimulate Armenia-Turkey relations. Most probably, very soon I
will invite the Turkish president to visit Armenia.
[Correspondent] The third issue concerned one of the most important
issues on the agenda of Armenia’s foreign relations – the Karabakh
conflict.
[President Serzh Sargsyan] The people of Nagornyy Karabakh, within
the framework of law and then in a forced struggle for survival,
have earned their right to have an independent state, and the issue
cannot be settled with this status being reduced.
[Correspondent] Toasts and speeches were made for the better future
and the strengthening of Armenian-Russian friendship.