SERZH SARSGSIAN: "HENCE EACH ARMENIAN DIASPORA COMMUNITY WILL FEEL ESSENTIAL CARE OF THE STATE"
ARMENPRESS
June 24
Armenian President Serzh Sargsian, who is in Moscow on an official
visit, met yesterday in "Ritz Carlton" hotel with the representatives
of the local Armenian community. The meeting was unprecedented
as it gathered the whole elite of the Russian Armenian community,
eminent intellectuals, scientists, economic and political figures. USSR
People’s artist Armen Jigarkhanian, co-chairman of the Armenian-Russian
inter-parliamentary commission Nikolay Rizhkov and others delivered
speeches at the meeting. The rector of the Moscow State University
Victor Sadovnich handed to the Armenian president Big Medal of the
university.
Armenian President Serzh Sargsian also delivered a speech at the
meeting. In his speech the president greeted the participants of the
meeting and said that through them he wanted to convey warm greetings
from Armenia to all the Armenians living in Russia.
"You know that the Armenian community in Russia is peculiar in many
aspects. The majority of the Armenians living outside their homeland
are based here. Of course the whole Diaspora is tied with the homeland
but you are the one the ties of which are stronger and multilayer both
in political and cultural as well as in economic respect and this
has its impact on the relations of Russian Armenians and Armenia,"
the president said.
After speaking about the number of issues of the Armenian Diaspora,
the president referred to the situation in Armenia, and to the issues
it is facing.
He particularly said, "Today Armenia has entered a new round of
reforms. I have stated many times that the solution of the issues
Armenia is facing and the success of the implementation of our programs
are possible only by uniting efforts of all the Armenians.
The realization of exclusive mission of the Diaspora hinted us to
create a separate Diaspora Issues Ministry which is in the process
of formation."
The president said that Armenia is seeking to become a health, banking,
tourism regional center.
"Let me bring a bright example: with the amount of the investments
made in Armenia the Russian capital is on the first place, the
Russian investors feel good in Armenia. You have great economic and
intellectual potential. The part of this potential you must use in
Armenia. Be sure that what you do is demanded, that your investment
is important for the homeland.
Each son of our people in any part of the world wishes to see
prosperous, flourishing and stable Armenia. In any country each our
compatriot think about having role in the development of Armenia and
they want to hear good news from their homeland.
I am sure that the Russian Armenians will gradually increase
their organization level, will increase the number of cultural and
educational schools in Russia and number of initiatives directed
towards preservation of Armenian culture," the president said,
adding that hence Armenian Diaspora in any country will feel the
essential care of the state and Armenia will provide greater support
for cultural and educational initiatives.
"Until now big was the role of Diaspora in the consolidation of
our state and economy: the time has come when Armenia’s increasing
opportunities allow to say that not only Diaspora has role in the
development of Armenia, but Armenia also has role in solution of
issues of Diaspora. And I assure you that hence this will be the
principle of Armenia-Diaspora partnership," Serzh Sargsian said.
In his speech the president also referred to three important
issues. First, he said is the inner political situation in Armenia. "I
would like you to understand and assess it in a right way – a political
force which months before the elections clearly stated that it would
not accept any result of the elections besides its victory tries by
blackmailing destabilize the situation in the country. I have many
times stated that stemming from the Armenia’s interests I am ready
to negotiate and work with any political force.
Serious steps have been undertaken to smooth the post-electoral
tension – the opposition is being invited by TV channels, all the
people who did not have direct participation in March 1 unrest have
been set free. The rights of the parliamentary opposition have
been extended, a parliamentary ad hoc commission has been set up
to study the events. These steps and efforts will continue but for
their successful conclusion they must be two-sided. And no one has a
right to destabilize the state with calls for collapse of the power
and threats."
The second issue the president spoke about was connected with the
Armenian-Turkish relations. "In this issue our position is clear:
there must not be closed borders between the neighboring states in
the 21st century. The regional cooperation can be the best way of
establishing stability. The Turkish side suggests that a commission
be set up which will study the historic facts. We are not against
the creation of such commission but only when the border between our
states opens. In near future I am planning to undertake new steps
directed towards the promotion of the Armenian-Turkish relations. More
probably I will invite Abdullah Gul to Yerevan to watch the game of
the Armenian Turkish football teams".
The third issue the president said is Nagorno Karabakh conflict
regulation. "You know that recently I have conducted negotiations
with the Azerbaijani president. We agreed to continue the negotiations
over the main principles registered in the current document. Nagorno
Karabakh has never been part of Azerbaijan. It was passed to Soviet
Azerbaijan by the illegal decision of the party. The decision was
grounded that it would help to spread the ideas of October Revolution
to Muslim East. People of Nagorno Karabakh, within the circles of law,
and afterwards in the demanded war, gained their right to independent
statehood and the conflict may not have any solution lowering this
status."
After finishing his speech the Armenian president suggested to raise
glasses to the consolidation of Armenian and Russian friendship,
welfare of the Russian Armenian community and our people and to the
better future.