DIASPORA SHOULD BACK ARMENIA AND ARTSAKH: RA PRESIDENT

News.am
11:26 / 10/05/2009

In the frames of Pan-Armenian tour, RA President Serzh Sargsyan met
with the Diaspora representatives of the Canada and U.S. Eastern
cost in New York. Nagorno-Karabakh Former President and RA
Ambassador-at-Large Arkadi Ghukasyan, the VP of Hayastan fund Board
of Trustees Gagik Harutyunyan, as well as Diaspora Minister Hranush
Hakobyan participated.

Commenting on Armenian-Turkish relations, Sargsyan underlined that
Armenia advances in the establishment of relations with Turkey without
any preconditions. "I consider that we gained maximum for the time
being," he said in response to the statement whether it was possible
to elaborate pro-Armenian document more thoroughly.

Sargsyan stated that after August 2008 war (in South Ossetia) new
situation established in the region that to some extent conduced
to Armenia-Turkey dialogue progress. It was dawned to everyone
what threats unsettled conflicts can fraught, particular to the
security of the peaceful and prosperous future of the nations. RA
President is certain, that Armenia-Turkey reconciliation will
assist the reduction of overall tension in the region and creation
of confidence. Speaking of the border opening consequences, Sargsyan
emphasized the appropriate services carried out research on the issue
and the work in some directions is underway. The President noted it
is impossible to forecast all risks and challenges of the potential
scenario development. Emphasizing that many people voice concern
about the situation, President reminded of the fear expressed in
the period when "we voted for Armenia’s independence." "Back then
many apprehended the Armenia’s future. Same with our struggle for
NKR self-determination, when not all counts were made and fears were
there. However we believed in our objectives and succeeded," Sargsyan
pointed out.

The President finds concerns over Turkey’s economic expansion after
border opening groundless, stating that Armenia has sufficient
techniques and mechanisms, including legislative ones to tackle
these problems.

According to him, the Genocide will not be discussed in the context
of Armenia-Turkey rapprochement. "The only matter of a possible
discussion related to Genocide is how to help Turkish people to be
more impartial towards their history, in particular how to overcome
Genocide consequences," Sargsyan stated.

Regardless of the Protocols’ content, participants were unanimous
that Diaspora should back Artsakh and Armenia. President resumed,
what matters is that we managed to reach a consensus at this critical
moment. "I believe in Armenia’s bright future, as I see the right path
through," Serzh Sargsyan concluded, calling on Diaspora to support
firm steps of the Motherland.