PROSPECTS OF COOPERATION BETWEEN RA MINISTRY OF DIASPORA AND AURTHORITIES OF ARNOUVILLE-LES-GONNESSE OUTLINED

NOYAN TAPAN
September 23, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush
Hakobian on September 22 received the delegation which was led by the
Mayor of the French city of Arnouville-les-Gonnesse Michel Aumas and
composed of Armenian members of the city council.

According to a report of the Ministry of Diaspora, Ms. Hakobian said
the warm reception given to her in Arnouville-les-Gonnesse during
her visit to France and the familiarization with the prosperous and
creative life of Armenians living there made a great impression on
her. She welcomed the process of making Arnouville-les-Gonnesse
and Yerevan’s Nubarashen administrative district "sister towns",
expressing a desire to establish friendly links between educational,
cultural and healthcare institutions as well.

At the request of the guests, Ms. Hakobian presented the tasks and
programs of the Ministry of Diaspora. She underlined that one of
the successful projects of organizing repatriation – Ari Tun Program
is being implemented based on French experience. She considered the
programs for children and youth within the framework of the Year of
Armenia in France as another example of efficient work.

Out of future all-Armenian programs, the minister attached special
importance to the creation of a children’s virtual band, the release
of a disc of Armenian lullabies, and to the chess championship.

In the opinion of Ms. Hakobian, the authorities of
Arnouville-les-Gonnesse can cooperate with the Ministry of Diaspora on
such issues as the exchange of students for practical work, the study
of the history of Armenian communities and the release of printed
materials and films on this subject, and the foundation of an open
air museum, which will display the models of nearly 190 monuments
set up in various cities worldwide, in the Yerevan Memorial Complex
to the Victims of the 1915 Genocide – in connection with the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Cooperation can also involve the organization of charity concerts by
cultural workers of the Republic of Armenia in Armenian communities,
and the release of a series of discs "Prominent Figures of Armenian
Descent". Ms.

Hakobian also spoke about Hayern Aysor (Armenians Today) electronic
newspaper of the Ministry of Diaspora (), noting
that 75 thousand people have visited this website over the five months
of its work.

Mayor Michel Aumas expressed a readiness to provide all possible
assistance to the programs of the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

About 1,400 Armenians, who have either French citizenship or a
stay permit, currently live in Arnouville-les-Gonnesse. There are
an Armenian Apostolic Church and a Catholic Church in the city. A
one-day Armenian School also functions there.