PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org
Website:
September 15, 2009
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At the Diocesan Center, Armenia’s New Un Ambassador Meets
Armenian-American Community
On Monday, September 14, a reception was held at the Diocesan Center to
welcome His Excellency Garen Nazarian, the newly-appointed Permanent
Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations.
Organized by the Eastern Diocese and the Fund for Armenian Relief, the
evening was attended by some 150 people, who gathered to meet the ambassador
and to hear him speak about his delegation’s goals at the United Nations.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), called the new ambassador "especially well-practiced
in the arena of international organizations, having served as Armenia’s UN
ambassador in Geneva, Switzerland, and on several influential international
bodies."
He also noted his personal qualities, among them "his ability to stand on
principle, as well as his eagerness to engage others and seek common
ground."
Acknowledging that he assumes his position at a critical moment in history,
Ambassador Nazarian said the Nagorno-Karabagh peace process and
Armenia-Turkey relations will be two central issues for Armenia’s UN
Mission.
He stressed that the delegation would treat each matter independently, and
would work toward both the continuation of Nagorno-Karabagh negotiations and
the normalization of relations with Turkey.
More broadly, Ambassador Nazarian said Armenia plans to extend its
involvement in global agenda issues and strengthen its international
presence.
"Protection of peace in our complex region is another vital issue," he said.
"We consider that the key to it is multilateral cooperation among all
countries of the region and among the neighbors."
Also speaking during the evening’s program, Diocesan Council chairman Oscar
Tatosian reflected on the Diocesan Center’s prominent role in
Armenian-American life, as the hub of major community events.
"So many great and influential figures of our generation-Armenian and
otherwise-have come here, to meet the people, and address our concerns," he
said.
Dr. Movses Abelian, Armenia’s past UN ambassador, said he experienced a warm
reception at the Diocese when he first came to New York 17 years ago. He
recalled how Armenia’s diplomats occupied an office at the Diocesan Center
even before Armenia became a member of the UN in 1992, and thanked
Archbishop Barsamian for his assistance and encouragement.
Dr. Abelian-who currently serves as the secretary of the UN General
Assembly’s Administrative and Budgetary Committee and as a member of the
Committee on Programme and Coordination-also thanked Mr. and Mrs. Kevork and
Sirvart Hovnanian for generously donating the elegant brownstone in Midtown
Manhattan, where the offices of Armenia’s UN Mission are housed.
Addressing Ambassador Nazarian, Dr. Abelian said he was hopeful that Armenia
would continue to build on its diplomatic ties and overall development.
"I’m sure the coming months and years will show that it is a time for peace,
it is a time for prosperity for Armenia," he said.
Archbishop Barsamian spoke about the close relationship between the diaspora
and Armenia.
"The existence of the Republic of Armenia is not merely important to us, as
members of the diaspora: it is our other half, as it were. And the success
or failure of the Armenian people as a whole depends on the strength and
mutual support, the good will and trust, of both the diaspora and our
homeland," the Primate said.
"With such thoughts in mind, it is a pleasure to be able to look to a man
like Ambassador Nazarian-well-educated, accomplished, experienced in
diplomacy-as Armenia’s official representative here in the United States."
Ambassador Nazarian most recently served as Armenia’s ambassador to Iran.
Prior to that, he acted as the advisor and chief of the cabinet to the
foreign minister of Armenia; as ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva;
and held a staff position in Armenia’s embassy in Moscow.
He has also served as a member of the United States Intergovernmental
Commission and as a vice president of the World Conference Against Racism,
Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance.
Ambassador Nazarian is a graduate of Yerevan State University and the
Diplomatic Academy of Moscow. He is married, with a daughter and son.
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Photos attached.
Photo 1: His Excellency Garen Nazarian, the newly-appointed Permanent
Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations, speaks at
the Diocesan Center
Photo 2: Ambassador Garen Nazarian and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian speak
with members of the Armenian-American community during a reception at the
Diocesan Center held to welcome the ambassador to New York.
Photo 3: Randy Sapah-Gulian, chairman of the FAR Board of Directors; Dr.
Movses Abelian, secretary of the UN General Assembly’s Administrative and
Budgetary Committee and member of the Committee on Programme and
Coordination; Mr. and Mrs. Garen Nazarian; Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Eastern Diocese; Oscar Tatosian, chairman of the Diocesan
Council; Arto Vorperian, program manager at FAR.