Hayern Aysor presents the official visits that RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan made to several Armenian communities of the Diaspora throughout the year 2015.

The focus of the meetings was on the strengthening of relations with Armenian community organizations, the presentation of the programs of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, the organizing of events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide and the support to Syrian-Armenians.

RA Minister of Diaspora paid a working visit to Lebanon

From March 12 to 15, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan was on a working visit to Lebanon. During the visit, the minister participated in the major event and other events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, had a meeting with His Holiness Aram I, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos Nerses-Bedros XIX of the Armenian Catholics of the House of Cilicia and Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon Nebih Berri, as well as representatives of the Armenian community and pan-Armenian organizations. The minister also visited Anjar where she had a meeting with the leaders and representatives of the Armenian community of Anjar. The minister also attended several events.

RA Minister of Diaspora paid a working visit to Australia

From March 19 to 26, the RA Minister of Diaspora was on a visit to Australia as a special envoy of RA President Serzh Sargsyan. In Australia, the minister met with Member of the Parliament of New South Wales, Minister of Transport and Minister of Hunter region Gladys Berejiklian. The minister also participated in the 2015 Armenian Festival of Sydney near Darling Harbor in Tumbalong Park of Sydney and then left for Canberra.

In the Parliament of Australia, the minister met with Australian-Armenian minister and Treasurer of Australia Joe Hockey and several Australian officials.

RA Minister of Diaspora paid a working visit to Abu Dhabi

On March 27, Hranush Hakobyan participated in a Holy Mass devoted to Palm Sunday (Tsaghkazard) at the Holy Martyrs’ Church of Abu Dhabi and laid flowers near the khachkar (cross-stone) commemorating the victims of the Armenian Genocide in the yard of the Church.

RA Minister of Diaspora paid a visit to the Vatican

On April 12, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan participated in the Holy Mass served on the occasion of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide by Pope Francis I at the St. Peter’s Basilica of the Vatican as part of the delegation led by RA President Serzh Sargsyan. The minister described the Holy Mass as a soul-searing, soul-stirring and historic phenomenon.

She also attended the church ceremony served by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians and Cardinal Sepe at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Naples, as well as the opening and consecration of an Armenian Genocide monument, that is, a duplicate khachkar (cross-stone) of one of the khachkars of Julfa.

RA Minister of Diaspora paid a working visit to Canada

From May 1 to 4, the RA Minister of Diaspora met with representatives of the Canadian-Armenian community and Mayor of Montreal Dennis Coder. The minister laid flowers near the local Armenian Genocide monument and participated in the March for Mankind.

RA Minister of Diaspora paid a working visit to Marseille

From June 19 to 22, the RA Minister of Diaspora participated in several events during her visit to Marseille. The minister laid a wreath near the monument dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide and visited the plaque in memory of women who died during the Armenian Genocide. The minister also visited the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian Evangelical Church in the Armenian-populated district of Bomon of Marseille and took part in the AGBU’s annual meeting. The RA Minister of Diaspora also attended Nune Yesayan’s concert titled “We Exist, We Will Exist and We Will Grow”.

Hranush Hakobyan also met with Governor of Bouche-du-Ron Martin Vasal and Mayor of Marseille Jean-Claude Gaudin.

RA Minister of Diaspora paid a working visit to Beirut

From July 17 to 20, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan was on a visit to Beirut to participate in the opening of the renovated building and museum of the “Trchnots Bouyn” (Birds’ Nest) orphanage, as well as the events dedicated to the 20^th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia and the ceremony of blessing of the Holy Muron. Under the patronage of Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan participated in the opening of the Aram Bezikian Museum for Armenian Genocide orphans at the “Trchnots Bouyn” orphanage of Jbeil.

The minister also participated in the Divine and eternal Liturgy, which was served by Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia and was held with the participation of followers of Christian churches at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Cathedral of Antelias. Afterwards, the minister had a meeting with Catholicos Aram I in Bikfaya. RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan was in Beirut by the assignment of RA President Serzh Sargsyan.

RA Minister of Diaspora paid a working visit to Romania

From September 29 to October 1, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan was on a working visit to Romania.

During the visit, Hranush Hakobyan met with State Secretary of the Government of Romania for Religious Affairs Victor Opasky and Romanian Minister for Romanians Abroad Angel Tilvar. The minister also visited the Armenian Prelacy to meet with Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Romania, Bishop Tatev Hakobyan.

RA Minister of Diaspora paid a working visit to the Netherlands

During the October 16-18 visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Hranush Hakobyan had a working meeting with Mayor of Almelo Jon Hermans-Fladbeld. Later, the minister visited the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Almelo where she laid a wreath at the Armenian Genocide Memorial and planted a fir tree in the yard of the Church.

RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan was one of the attendees at the event dedicated to the 300^th anniversary of the Holy Spirit Armenian Apostolic Church in Amsterdam.

RA Minister of Diaspora paid a working visit to Sweden

The official visits of the RA Minister of Diaspora to Armenian communities of the Diaspora in the year 2015 ended with a working visit to Sweden (23-27 October).

Hranush Hakobyan participated in the ceremony of consecration of the St. Mary Church in Syodertelye, Sweden, after which she met with Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Sweden (Richsdag) Isabelle Dingizian and Mayor of Syodertelye Boel Godner.

The minister also had meetings in several Armenian-populated cities, including Orebro and Upsala.