EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION
Email: [email protected]
September, 5, 2007
Contact: Vartenie ECHO
Tel: +322 732 70 26
Convention to Feature Meetings with European Political Leaders
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – The European Armenian Federation has announced that
Armenia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Vartan Oskanian, will take part
in the upcoming second Convention of European Armenians.
The Convention, which will be held between October 15th and 16th in the
halls of the European Parliament in Brussels, will bring together Armenians
from throughout the European Union and around the world. This year’s
program will include, for the first time, many delegates from states newly
admitted to the Union.
The first session of the Convention will mark the 20th anniversary of the
European Parliament’s landmark resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
Among those who will be honoured are those who spearheaded the adoption of
this human rights measure in the face of intense opposition, among them
former MEPs: Henri Saby, Ernest Glinne, Alfred Coste-Floret, Paule Duport,
Stan Newens, and Jaak Vandemeulebroucke.
During the course of the two-day Convention, European citizens of Armenian
heritage will have the opportunity to discuss among themselves the
challenges Armenia and Armenians face in a rapidly changing Europe, and to
share their views and priorities on these issues with Union Union
political leaders.
In addition to Minister Oskanian, many other distinguished guests will
participate in the Convention, including many Armenian ambassadors serving
in Europe, as well as, very notably, Mr. Hugues Mingarelli, the European
Commission negotiator in chief for the European Neighbourhood Policy
action plan for Armenia. Mrs Antonia Arslan, the Italian Armenian
intellectual, who wrote the best seller, `the Lark Farm,’ has also
confirmed her participation.
European experts, scholars, Armenian organisations leaders, MEPs and
European Commission officials will discuss on Union policy on issues such as
the EU’s partial freezing of negotiations with Turkey, and the evolution of
the Union’s relations with Armenia and the entire South Caucasus region.
`The Convention in the halls of the European Parliament is a unique
opportunity to raise awareness about issues of European Armenian concern,
among European policy-makers,’ said Hilda Tchoboian, the Chairperson of the
European Armenian Federation. `We invite Armenian organizations and
personalities who wish to attend the Convention to begin registering now by
mail or via the website. The registration is free, but
required for participation. All details about the program will be published
on the site as they become available.
Associations that may be not known to the Federation and that therefore
might not otherwise receive an invitation are requested to get in touch with
the Federation directly. The European Armenian Federation calls on all
interested parties to widely publicize this event as an important
opportunity to raise awareness about issues of European Armenian concern,
among European policy-makers, including members of the European Parliament
and officers of the European Commission.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
