On June 23, the RA Ministry of Diaspora hosted the relatives of servicemen killed during the four-day Artsakh war and wounded soldiers. Representatives of the Armenian community of Cordoba, including chairman of the council of the Armenian community of Cordoba, lawyer Eduardo Toutoushian; vice-chairman, representative of Homenetmen South America Rouben Avakian and members of the community’s council, including representative of the Cordoba affiliate of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, founder of the Armenian Sunday School adjunct to the St. Gevorg Armenian Church and President of New Docta-Nueva Docta Musical Foundation Lilian Balian-Merdinian, as well as Professor Ana Virginia Asadourogli and pastor of the Armenian community of Cordoba, Priest Harutioun Stepanian, who are in Armenia, wanted to transfer the $10,000 dollars raised by the Armenian community to their compatriots through the Ministry of Diaspora.

Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan addressed the gathered and stated the following: “Dear compatriots, I am sorry that this meeting is being held on a sad occasion. The pain is deep, and nobody can console you. However, we also take pride in the fact that you raised such heroic children and respect their memory. Our state has a continuity referred to as the Diaspora. The Armenians of the Diaspora shared our pain and suffering. Our compatriots showed their unity and provided their assistance to Armenia and Artsakh, and today the Armenians of Argentina have expressed their solidarity.”

His Holiness Harutioun Stepanian respected the gathered and stated the following: “I see sadness and the pride of men in your eyes. We also wept and felt proud at the same time during those days that were difficult for our nation. Today, on behalf of our community, we have come to pay our respects and express gratitude. May our boys rest in peace.”

In his turn, head of the Armenian community of Cordoba Eduardo Toutoushian added that the Armenian community of Cordoba lives, feels and shares the pain of the loss thousands of kilometers away. “We simply wanted to be with you and thank you,” the head of the community said.

On behalf of the relatives of the victims, the father of deceased soldier Aram Abrahamyan expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Diaspora and to the Armenian community of Cordoba for the solidarity, consolation, attention and the assistance.

“Your sons are not only your sons, but also the sons of all Armenians. Know that we share your sorrow. Together we must be able to straighten up and move forward. We need to be strong in between two beastly enemies. We have no right to be weak. The spirit within each of us must be powerful,” Hranush Hakobyan emphasized at the end of the meeting.