MINISTER OF DIASPORA DISCUSSES IN U.S. WAYS OF DEEPENING ARMENIA-ARTSAKH-DIASPORA LINKS

Noyan Tapan

Dec 1, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Minister of Diaspora Hranish
Hakobian on November 26 had meetings with representatives of the
Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), the Union of the Armenian
Evangelical Churches and the Union of Iranian Armenians of Los Angeles
in the U.S.

During a dinner given by the AGBU, at which the President of
the NKR Bako Sahakian and the Head of Artsakh diocese Pargev
Martirosian were present, discussions on deepening and developing
Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora links took place. As NT was informed by
the Press and Information Department of the Ministry of Diaspora,
Hranush Hakobian presented the ministry’s major strategic tasks set
by the Armenian president, underlining the necessity for implementing
joint Armenia-Diaspora programs with the aim of performing these
tasks. Issues related to development and implementation of youth
programs, organization of higher educational practice of Diasporan
students at various institutions in Armenia, extension and development
of the activities of Saturday and Sunday schools, as well as giving a
new quality and spirit to Diaspora-Armenia relations under "Ari Tun"
("Come Home") project were discussed.

At the meeting with members of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical
Churches, the minister of diaspora spoke about the prospects of
strengthening and devloping Armenia-Diaspora links, at the same time
expressing a high opinion about the educational and charity programs
implemented by the Armenian Evangelical Church. In her speech Hranush
Hakobian stated that any Armenian body of the Diaspora – any religious,
cultural or party structure – is a direct partner of the ministry. She
attached importance to the development and implementation of programs
in cooperation with Diasporan structures in the spheres of education,
culture, economy, information, etc.

The NKR president Bako Sahakian attended the meeting with
representatives of the Union of Iranian Armenians, during which
the minister pointed out the well-organized character, activity and
vitality of Iran’s Armenian community, expressing confidence that
the Iranian Armenians retain these good traditions in the U.S.

During all the meetings, interesting and comprehensive discussions on
the strengthening and development of Homeland-Diaspora links were held,
while the minister called on the meeting participants to take an active
part in Telethon 2008, underlining the ideas of unity of this event.