SPEAKER OF CATALAN PARLIAMENT VISITS ARMENIAN MINISTRY OF DIASPORA

NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 5, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Armenia’s Deputy
Minister of Diaspora Stepan Petrosian on May 4 received the delegation
headed by Speaker of the Parliament of Catalonia Ernest Benach. The RA
Ministry of Diaspora reports that it was the first visit of a Catalan
parliamentary delegation to Armenia since the parliament of Catalonia
recognized the Armenian Genocide on February 26, 2010.

Welcoming the guests, S. Petrosian thanked the Catalan parliament for
its efforts on recognition of the Armenian Genocide and its consistent
approach. He expressed a high opinion about Mr. Benach’s attitude to
the Armenian community of Catalonia, saying that the best evidence
was the opening of an Armenian-Spanish khachkar in Catalonia.

S. Petrosian informed the guests about the programs of the RA
Ministry of Diaspora: Armenia-Diaspora cooperation, preservation of
the Armenian identity, identification of Armenian potential in the
Diaspora, repatriation and several other problems.

The interlocutors spoke about the institution of dual citizenship in
Catalonia, the problem of receiving citizenship by Armenians living in
Catalonia, their educational problems, etc. S. Petrosian underlined
the need for the implementation of youth programs, particularly he
spoke about "Ari Tun" program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

At the conclusion of the meeting the deputy minister presented some
books published by the Ministry of Diaspora to the guests, while Mr.

Benach handed him a book on the history of Catalan parliament.