Hayern Aysor had reported that RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, who is in the USA as part of the delegation led by RA President Serzh Sargsyan, met on March 26 with member of the ARF-D Eastern Region Central Committee Hovsep Avakian and Homenetmen Eastern US Regional Executive Chair Vahe Tanashian in Washington DC. Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the United States of America Grigor Hovhannisyan was also attending the meeting held at the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia.

In an interview with Hayern Aysor, member of the ARF-D Eastern Region Central Committee Hovsep Avakian stated that this was the first meeting with Minister Hranush Hakobyan. “We were very impressed with the nearly 2-hour meeting. In that short period, we felt the love, attitude and generosity of the RA Ministry of Diaspora and particularly the love, attitude and generosity of Minister Hranush Hakobyan for and towards the Armenian communities, as well as structures and organizations of the Armenian Diaspora. The meeting helped show all the efforts that are being made to make sure the Armenia-Diaspora relations are not only strong, but also effective and how we have to work together to make sure the Diaspora is able to support Armenia’s reinforcement.”

Hovsep Avakian mentioned that during the conversation, Minister Hranush Hakobyan attached importance to all the events, forums, conferences and scout camps that Diaspora Armenian structures, organizations, unions, societies and associations organize in Armenia and how they contribute to the rapprochement and strengthening of Armenia-Diaspora relations and to mutual recognition. Avakian added that Hranush Hakobyan expressed willingness to support and assist in the implementation of all those events and initiatives.

“During the meeting, we felt that the issue of the Syrian-Armenians in Armenia is also a matter of concern and in the center of attention of the Minister. She provided details about all the activities that the Government of the Republic of Armenia is carrying out to support our compatriots having settled in the Homeland. The most beautiful thing was that we felt the Minister’s personal approach to the issue, her feelings, as well as her desire and willingness to stand by their side at this difficult moment and to mitigate the pain of the Syrian-Armenians in Armenia in some way. We saw all that in her words and in her eyes. We were moved when the Minister said that the Government of the Republic of Armenia is also taking care of the issues related to the burial of Syrian-Armenians so that they don’t feel like orphans.”

Avakian stated that Hranush Hakobyan had also talked about the difficulties, the Syrian-Armenians in Canada and in countries across Europe and had asked to work harder so that everyone talks about all the activities that the Government of the Republic of Armenia is carrying out in that direction.

“We are pleased and grateful for this opportunity. We saw the powerful glance of Minister Hranush Hakobyan at the Diaspora and her persistence to make sure our relations remain strong and all our goals are common,” Hovsep Avakian stated, adding that the Minister’s words and the meeting made them think about how they could cooperate and try to consolidate the educational, scientific and economic potential of the US Eastern Region to help Armenia.

“We need to work together for the welfare and reinforcement of Armenia and for the betterment of our country and people. We need to work together to reduce emigration and make sure people live the good life. Each of us needs to create a specific plan and present it to the Minister so that we can try to help our homeland and our compatriots to the best of our ability. Only after listening to the Minister did we understand that there are many things that seem simple at first sight and that we hadn’t thought about before. For instance, visits to Armenia that can help develop tourism, help Armenians open bank accounts in Armenia, purchase homes, etc.,” Hovsep Avakian concluded in an interview with Hayern Aysor.

In an interview with Hayern Aysor, Homenetmen US Eastern Regional Committee Chair Vahe Tanashian said Hranush Hakobyan had talked about the programs and activities of the RA Ministry of Diaspora and had touched upon the role of the Armenian American community in promoting Armenia’s reinforcement.

“Hranush Hakobyan stressed that only a powerful Armenia can be helpful to all Armenians and that a powerful Armenia is the only guarantee of the Armenian nation to solve the issues that it faces. The Minister also encouraged us to carry out joint programs and projects and the Homenetmen camping events once every four years in Armenia and urged us to encourage Diaspora Armenian youth to visit Armenia,” Vahe Tanashian stated.