The Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia held a teleconference with representatives of the Armenian community of Bulgaria. Among the participants from Armenia were Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, Deputy Ministers Serzh Srapionyan and Vahagn Melikyan, as well as employees of the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

Among the participants from Bulgaria were Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Plovdiv Yeghiazar Uzunyan and representatives of the community.

The Minister cordially greeted the participants, attached importance to the format of communication and expressed gratitude to the community and especially to Mr. Uzunyan for standing with the Homeland and supporting the wounded soldiers and the families of deceased soldiers during the days of the war in Artsakh. “Thank you for providing moral and material assistance to several families, establishing close ties with them and participating in the large movement of support to Armenia and Artsakh that gained momentum across the Armenian Diaspora.

Dear Armenians of Bulgaria, Armenians are active, strong, smart and hard-working in any part of the world. Being Armenian is a pride, and we need to instill that pride in our children and youth everywhere. They need to realize that they are a particle of the 12.5 million Armenians who managed to establish two Armenian states. We Armenians are against war, and today, we all need to make our contributions for a peaceful resolution of the Artsakh issue.

I believe your efforts and hard work will help the Bulgarian government speak out as a member of the European family, follow Germany’s example and recognize the Armenian Genocide. Dear compatriots, I believe the members of your community need to unite. I would like to see them follow the example of several European countries, create a coordinating body of all the organizations of Bulgaria and try to become established in all sectors. Each of you needs to be a good and law-abiding citizen of Bulgaria, but also preserve the Armenian identity and be aware of the fact that only a strong Armenia is the key to solving all issues of national concern. You all need to be strong and make your contributions to the empowerment of the Homeland,” the Minister particularly said.

The Minister stated that, like several Armenian communities, the Armenian community of Bulgaria also attaches great importance to preservation of the Armenian identity, and urged the community to show more active participation in the programs of the RA Ministry of Diaspora since the straightest path for preservation of the Armenian identity is the path to Armenia and homeland recognition, and the programs of the RA Ministry of Diaspora offer many opportunities.

Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Bulgaria Yeghiazar Uzunyan attached importance to teleconferencing with communities and expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Diaspora for providing such an opportunity.

The Consul’s advisor Aghavni Gevorgyan presented the current activities and cultural events being carried out within the community and the existing problems.

The community’s organizers of education asked for additional books, textbooks and methodological manuals.

The sides also discussed issues on ensuring more active participation of the community in the programs of the Ministry of Diaspora and several other problems.