PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN MEETS WITH DIASPORA ARMENIANS OF US EASTERN COAST AND CANADA

ARMENPRESS
OCTOBER 5, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS: The all-Armenian tour of the
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan continues and meetings with
the representatives of the Diaspora Armenian organizations and
establishments take place. Presidential press service told Armenpress
that the second stop of the president was in New York where October
3 he met with the representatives of Armenian communities of the US
Eastern Coast and Canada. Deputy Head of the Board of Trustees of
"Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund Gagik Harutyunyan, Armenian President’s
ambassador on special assignments Arkadi Ghukasyan, Diaspora Minister
Hranush Hakobyan also took part in the meeting.

The participants of the discussion welcomed the initiative of the
president to visit Armenian-populated communities and noted that in
spite of the years of partnership between Armenia and Diaspora and
rich experience the all-Armenian tour of the president and such
meetings form a new institute to hear the voice of world spread
Armenians about the issues of national importance.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in his opening speech referred to
the process of regulation of Armenian-Turkish relations, main concerns
voiced over the pre-signed protocols and once again pointed out that
Armenia is going forward to normalization of relations with Turkey
without preconditions.

"I think that for this period of time we managed to get the utmost,"
President Serzh Sargsyan said, referring to the concern that it was
possible to reach more favorable for Armenia documents.

Serzh Sargsyan pointed out that in last August after the known events
in the region a new situation has been created which on its part
in a certain way promoted the move in Armenian-Turkish political
dialogue as it is obvious for everyone what challenges the unsettled
conflicts may have for security of the peoples, peaceful and prosperous
future. Serzh Sargsyan expressed assurance that the normalization of
Armenian-Turkish rel he general tension in the region and increase
of the atmosphere of mutual trust.

Referring to the concern that the Armenian side has not calculated
the possible impact and consequences of the normalization of relations
and opening of the border, the president said that in that respect the
specialized establishments and institutions made an extended work and
in some ways they are still in process and relevant assignments have
been given. The president of the country pointed out that in reality
it is difficult to calculate all the challenges and risks till the
end for all the scenarios of development.

The concerns about the economic expansion the president considered
ungrounded, stating that the state has enough tools and mechanisms
including legislative, to give solution to the upcoming issues and
challenges.

The president again pointed out that in the pre-context of
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations the fact of Armenian
Genocide cannot be discussed. "The only issue connected with the
genocide that may be a topic for discussion is that how we can help
the Turkish people to be more unbiased in listing the pages of their
history or how to overcome the consequences of the Genocide," the
leader of the country noted.

The participants of the meeting expressed their opinions and approaches
over the pre-signed protocols, the opportunities which may open and
possible challenges.