On June 5, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan received leader of the Armenian community of Ethiopia Vartkes Nalbandian and his daughter, Gaiane-Elise Nalbandian.

Greeting the guests, Minister Hranush Hakobyan expressed satisfaction with the fact that the Ethiopian-Armenian community, which is one of the oldest Armenian communities, continues to be viable and preserves the image of Armenians.

Talking about the current state of the Ethiopian-Armenian community, Vartkes Nalbandian said there are nearly 100 Armenians living in Ethiopia and are mainly based in Adis-Abeba. The members of the community are not politically affiliated and are united through culture and religion. The Armenians of Ethiopia are mainly involved in trade and try to preserve the traditions of the once influential community. Gaiane-Elise Nalbandian, who is a lawyer and participated in the Pan-Armenian Forum “Ahead of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide” organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora in Yerevan in 2013, told the minister that she does everything she can to use her professional knowledge and skills for the solution to the Armenian Cause.

Minister Hranush Hakobyan presented the programs and activities of the Ministry of Diaspora and urged them to find opportunities to engage Ethiopian-Armenians, especially young Ethiopian-Armenians in the programs of the ministry for preservation of the Armenian identity.

During the meeting, the sides also discussed issues on making the Ethiopian-Armenian community more active, enhancing ties with Armenia, preserving the Armenian language and other issues.