On September 23, the Coordinating Council for Pan-Armenian Forums of Journalists held a wide-format session, which was held with the participation of RA Acting Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan.

The session was moderated by Editor-in-Chief of Lebanon’s Aztag Daily, chairman of the Coordinating Council for Pan-Armenian Forums of Journalists Shahan Kantaharian.

Acting Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan congratulated all the participating editors-in-chief and media representatives on the 25^th anniversary of Armenia’s Independence. “We were all inspired by the military parade organized on the occasion of the 25^th anniversary and followed the glorious display of the Armenian army and the Armenian armed forces with an indescribable feeling of pride,” Hranush Hakobyan stated, adding: “The Armenian Diaspora made its great contribution to the shaping and development of Armenia and became an eternal presence in the Homeland.”

The RA Acting Minister of Diaspora also congratulated editor-in-chief of Iran’s Alik Daily Derenik Melikian on the 85^th anniversary of the newspaper and for properly organizing the events dedicated to the anniversary. Melikian was also participating in the session via long distance.

Touching upon the organizing of the 8^th Pan-Armenian Forum of Journalists, Hranush Hakobyan attached importance to providing the participating media representatives with the equal opportunity to express themselves. “I am certain that there will be many opinions and suggestions during the discussions on the items of the full agenda that we have approved. We will listen to, compile and indicate the upcoming programs devoted to the partnership of Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora over the past 25 years and the future actions,” she emphasized.

The agenda included a discussion on the draft of the program for the 8^th Pan-Armenian Forum of Journalists to be held in Armenia and Artsakh, the distribution of sessions according to themes, participation via long distance and the possibility of live broadcasts from Artsakh.

Among the participants of the session were President of the Union of Journalists of Armenia Astghik Gevorgyan, President of the All-Armenian Media Association Tigran Harutyunyan, Dean of the Faculty of Journalism at Yerevan State University Naghash Martirosyan, Editor-in-Chief of Azg Daily Hakob Avetikyan, Editor-in-Chief of Radio Aig of the United Arab Emirates Shakeh Mangasarian and employees of the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

Among those participating in the session via long distance were “Noev Kovcheg” Media Director Grigor Anisonyan from Russia, Editor-in-Chief of Iran’s Alik Daily Derenik Melikian, Editor-in-Chief of Lebanon’s Khosnag magazine Hampig Mardirossian, Editor-in-Chief of Orer magazine of the Czech Republic Hakob Asatryan, Editor-in-Chief of Lebanon’s Zartonk Daily Sevag Hagopian, Editor-in-Chief of Canada’s Horizon Weekly Vahakn Karakashian and President of the Union of Journalists of Artsakh Kim Gabrielyan. RA Acting Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan thanked them all for participating in the session.

The participants of the session discussed the preconditions and appropriate mechanisms for the creation of a unified information system, the paths for cooperation between Armenia’s diplomatic missions and Diaspora Armenian non-governmental organizations, the measures for engaging Diaspora Armenians in nation-building in the Republic of Armenia, the consolidation of the potential of all Armenians and gearing that potential, the support of the Armenian Diaspora to the international recognition of the Artsakh Republic, as well as the formats for presenting the 25^th anniversary of partnership of Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora and the future actions during a conference.