On November 23, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan received Mayor of Montebello Jack Hadjinian and member of the ARF Western USA Central Committee and the Armenian National Council Levon Kirakosian.

Greeting the guests, the minister congratulated Jack Hadjinian on his recent election and expressed joy for the fact that the young Armenian had been able to attain such a high and responsible office abroad.

“All Armenians feel very proud when they see their compatriots holding offices in U.S. government. That makes them feel proud and further reinforces their connection to their roots and identity. Therefore, I attach great importance to the efforts with young Armenians, especially since globalization doesn’t contribute to the preservation of the national identity at all,” Hranush Hakobyan said, urging the guests to carry out activities that will be more goal-oriented and more effective.

Presenting the Armenian community of Montebello, Jack Hadjinian said Montebello is the oldest city in the Los Angeles area with a population of 62,500, of which 7,000 are of Armenian descent. Among the structures and organizations in the city are the Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church, the Mesrobian Armenian School, the Armenian National Committee, as well as the chapters of the ARS and Homenetmen. In 1968, a monument dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide was placed in Montebello. It is also noteworthy that Montebello has been declared as a sister city with Stepanakert and that wide programs for joint actions have been developed during this visit.

The sides touched upon the perspectives for the development of Armenia-Diaspora relations. Hranush Hakobyan introduced the guests to the programs of the RA Ministry of Diaspora and voiced hope that the Armenians of Montebello would show more active participation in those programs, having a fellow compatriot as their mayor.

The sides emphasized that it is necessary to do everything possible to strengthen mutual trust since that is the guarantee for the implementation of effective programs.