PRESS RELEASE
The Heritage Party
31 Moscovian Street
Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 53.69.13
Fax: (+374 – 10) 53.26.97
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
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25 September 2008
Heritage MP Takes Part in Meeting of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation
Alexandroupolis, Greece–Secretary Stepan Safarian of the Heritage
Party’s parliamentary faction attended, from September 24 to 25, in
the 32nd session of the Cultural, Social, and Healthcare Committee of
the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization of the Black Sea
Economic Cooperation (PABSEC). To note, Safarian is a member in this
committee since 2007. The event, which was held in the Greek town of
Alexandroupolis, was called to discuss and vote on the report,
entitled "The Impact of Globalization on the Social Policy of the
Countries Members in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSCE)," in
order to approve it for examination during the general assembly to be
convened in Chiºinãu, Moldova, in November.
During the exchange of views, Stepan Safarian delivered an
intervention on globalization’s positive and adverse effects on the
social situation in Armenia. Since unrestricted movement–as a result
of globalization–has increased the emigration of manpower, the
speaker emphasized the aspect of migration. "Today, hundreds of
thousands of Armenian citizens are emigrating to BSEC-member
countries–and specifically to Russia, Ukraine and Turkey–for
employment. Some of them move abroad legally, whereas others,
illegally and therefore they are less protected in those countries."
Safarian noted. In his view, the BSEC is the very platform where these
issues need to be raised and resolved. "Many of our countries are the
donors, whereas the others are the recipients of labor force. Sadly,
Armenia does not even have diplomatic relations with Turkey, which is
one of those recipient countries, and thus it is impossible to give an
accurate account of the work migrants there. And under such conditions
it is out of the question to speak about the protection of the rights
of those citizens of Armenia." Stepan Safarian also maintained that
solely the people themselves can neutralize or reduce the adverse
consequences of globalization and that a mere criticism of
globalization will be unjustified because globalization provides great
and positive opportunities as well.
In addition, Stepan Safarian and numerous other speakers also
underscored the need, within the globalization process, to preserve
and enrich the national and civilizational identities.
Founded in 2002, Heritage has regional divisions throughout the land.
Its central office is located at 31 Moscovian Street, Yerevan 0002,
Armenia, with telephone contact at (374-10) 536.913, fax at (374-10)
532.697, email at [email protected] or [email protected], and website
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