On October 20, within the scope of the 8^th Pan-Armenian Forum of Journalists, the heads of Diaspora Armenian media outlets had a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan.

The forum continued with a panel session entitled “Paths for cooperation between diplomatic representations of the Republic of Armenia and Diaspora Armenian structures and organizations”, which was moderated by RA Deputy Minister of Diaspora Serzh Srapionyan, journalist and publicist Baidzig Galajian and Director of Radio Voice of Van Avedis Kitanian.

In his speech entitled “The Unstable Diplomatic Relations between Armenia and Israel and the Support of Armenian Organizations of Israel to the Development of the Relations”, Editor-in-Chie f of “Israyelahayer” newspaper Artyom Chernamoryan addressed the history of the diplomatic relations between Israel and Armenia and stated the recent tendencies for revitalization of those relations and their positive impact on increasing the reputation of the Armenian community.

Correspondent for the Armenian Information Center website, President of the International Association of Hamshen-Armenian Women Saida Ohanyan gave a speech entitled “Diplomacy of the Republic of Armenia, Diaspora Armenian Organizations, the Paths for Cooperation and the Hamshen-Armenians”. In her speech, she attached importance to the urgency of solving the issues of Hamshen-Armenians and addressed the relations between state bodies and community organizations.

Lebanese-Armenian journalist and publicist Hagop Balian addressed the essence of independent and investigative journalism and the paths for its development. He attached importance to the need for purity of the Armenian language, the accuracy of information and the enlargement of the scope of topics. “Armenia media is like a general education school in the political and cultural senses,” he added.

In her speech entitled “Components for the Formation of the Image of the Republic of Armenia in Foreign-Language Mass  Media Outlets”, President of the “Armenian PR Association” Scientific-Informational NGO Astghik Avetisyan stated the following: “These forums are important because they not only help journalists exchange information, but also provide them with the opportunity to communicate and understand how they should work in the field and how we should present ourselves to the world.” The speaker attached importance to the need for the formation of a positive image.

Representative of Lebanon’s Ararat Daily Ani Toranian also gave a speech in which she attached importance to the forums as favorable milestones for the solution to issues of national concern and emphasized that the major role of Armenian media is to serve the homeland. In closing, she stated the following: “We would like for the participants of this forum to take decisive steps. Every Armenian needs to acknowledge the fact that he is the owner and servant of the homeland.

”The speeches were followed by discussions on the language of media, priorities and the identification of national issues. The participants made proposals.

In the evening, the heads of Diaspora Armenian media outlets had a meeting with Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Karen Karapetyan.