MINISTER OF DIASPORA AND REPRESENTATIVES OF HAMAZKAYIN ARMENIAN EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL SOCIETY DISCUSS ISSUES OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE

NOYAN TAPAN
SEPTEMBER 23, 2009
YEREVAN

During the September 22 meeting of RA Minister of Diaspora Ms. Hranush
Hakobian and the delegation headed by Chairperson of the Hamazkayin’s
Central Executive Board Mkrtich Mkrtchian, the participants discussed
issues related to the participation of the Hamazkayin Armenian
Educational and Cultural Society in the ministry’s projects, the
enhancement of efficiency of the activities of Armenian structures
in Diaspora communities and of Armenian embassies and consulates in
foreign states, the role of the Armenian state and the Diaspora in the
development of Armenian-Turkish relations, as well as the results of
the first Pan-Armenian Forum of Lawyers that finished its work the
day before.

Ms. Hakobian attached great importance to the foundation of the
All-Armenian Association of Lawyers at the forum with the participation
of more than 70 Diaspora Armenian experts from 20 countries, the
adoption of a statement, and the significance and diversity of the
subjects discussed. She pointed out such reports made at the forum
as the report of Argentinean Armenian lawyer Roberto Malkhsian on
the international recognition of the independence of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic, and French Armenian lawyer Alexandre Aslanian’s
report discussing the opportunities of international cooperation of
advocates in order to prevent the arbitrariness of Turkish court at
the trial of the murder case of Hrant Dink considered the last victim
of the Armenian Genocide.

The minister said the Association has five groups which, within
the framework of the all-Armenian network of lawyers, will develop
proposals concerning Nagorno Karabakh, the international recognition
of the Armenian Genocide, the registration of Armenian property and
monuments abroad, and the improvement of the Armenian legislation.

At the request of the quests, Ms. Hakobian spoke about the programs of
possible cooperation between the Hamazkayin and the ministry, among
which is the forum "The State of Teaching Western Armenian in the
Diaspora" to be held in 2010. It is envisaged forming 5-6 regional
educational centers in the Diaspora and a group of scienists from
Armenia who will prepare a single textbook of Western Armenian. Out
of the programs implemented with the use of the Internet, Ms. Hakobian
indicated Hayern Aysor electronic newspaper of the Ministry of Diaspora
and the project on the all-Armenian portal and search system. It is
expected that in addition to its Eastern Armenian, Western Armenian,
English and Russian versions, the newspaper will soon have a French
version, later – also Spanish and Turkish ones. Besides, it is planned
to promote the opportunities of telecommunication among Diaspora
communities via the Internet and television channels of Armenia.

The minister considered it important to expand the network of Sunday
schools in communities and organize the change of the generation
of Armenologists. The Hamazkayin’s delegation stressed the need to
use spelling chekers for Western Armenian in the Internet. They also
attracted the minister’s attention to the necessity to have cultural
attaches at Armenian embassies abroad.

Ms. Hakobian reminded that Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan plans
to personally present the prospects of developing Armenia-Turkey
relations during the upcoming visits to regional centers of the
Diaspora. According to her, the information flow expressing the
Republic of Armenia’s opinions about relations with neighbors will
grow. In her opinion, the notion "Armenian-Turkish relations" is much
more comprehensive than the scope of Armenia-Turkey relations.