Firdus Zakaryan: “Only together and by concentrating all our efforts will we be able to support Artsakh”

Throughout the eight years of its existence, the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia has carried out numerous unprecedented pro-national programs and programs aimed at preserving the Armenian identity, and those programs are ongoing. The Ministry sets priority objectives and meets them all through large-scale activities. “What are YOU doing for Karabakh?”-this was the call that Armenian journalists made during the Pan-Armenian Forum of Journalists organized by the Ministry of Diaspora in October 2016. The call turned into a powerful movement that sparked reactions from Diaspora Armenians who joined the movement and made their significant contributions to the process. As the days progressed, the movement became stronger and engaged wider circles. It seems as though the continuity of the movement became the idea of the RA Minister of Diaspora to declare the year 2017 as the Year of Artsakh. In light of this, I sat down for an interview with Chief of Staff of the RA Ministry of Diaspora Firdus Zakaryan Firdus Zakaryan for Hayern Aysor.  

Karine Avagyan: The whole world celebrated the start of the year 2017. It is obvious that the New Year implies the implementation of new ideas, programs and activities, and all countries, including Armenia, have their expectations and their visions for the implementation of programs. Dear Mr. Zakaryan, in this sense, what will the RA Ministry of Diaspora be doing this year, which is declared as the Year of Artsakh?

Firdus Zakaryan: As is already known, in late 2016, the Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia undertook the initiative of declaring the launch of the “What are YOU doing for Karabakh?” movement. It turned into a large movement, and it is a pleasure for all of us to see that the movement has helped achieve tangible results. During her year-end press conference, the Minister suggested declaring the year 2017 as the Year of Artsakh. I believe all the efforts aimed at empowering Artsakh need to be consolidated. We also need to speak out and disseminate and mobilize all the resources of the public.  The Ministry has already drafted letters devoted to the topic and delivered them to various addressees, and there are already several responses from different parts of the Armenian Diaspora. We need to shed light on and spread the word about every step that is taken.

Simply declaring that we want a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not enough. It means we have to sit and do nothing. We need to continue to make efforts in that direction and do something to see that desired day come soon and make our wish come true. Do you remember how united the entire nation became after the four-day military operations unleashed by the Azerbaijanis in April? Every Armenian did whatever he could to support Artsakh, the soldiers defending the borders, as well as the families of wounded or deceased soldiers. In such cases, our nation manages to unite and stand united as one. There are many examples of this in Armenian history. All that is being done and will be done for Artsakh is very important. There are no big or small acts. There is support, contribution, attention, generosity and love! My son is currently one of the soldiers defending the borders of Artsakh and Armenia. He recently came home for vacation and shared a touching story about the letters that had been sent to soldiers with pastries. One of the letters was written in Western Armenian. There were also letters from the 8^th grade students of one of the schools in Yerevan. Such attention to soldiers away from home is very exciting. Armenians need to pay more attention to Artsakh in the year 2017. Of course, we won’t limit ourselves to only this year. This movement will be ongoing, and we can carry out more similar activities in the years to come.

Karine Avagyan: Mr. Zakaryan, it seems as though our beloved Artsakh has become our soul child and we all consider it our duty to support Artsakh. How and to what extent is Artsakh responding to and showing participation in the year declared as the Year of Artsakh?

Firdus Zakaryan: The heroic and honorable people of Artsakh are also participating in this movement. Even planting a tree, cultivating lands, living on those lands, in bordering villages and regions, starting families and having children are already the pillars of the movement. Indeed, we will carry out joint programs, and there will be spiritual, economic, material and cultural assistance. The Ministry of Diaspora and the authorities of Artsakh will work together and organize the activities. The Ministry will record the activities and will serve as a coordinating body.

Karine Avagyan: Mr. Zakaryan, do you think other organizations and government agencies wishing to join this movement of the Ministry of Diaspora will join with their task forces?

Firdus Zakaryan: Of course! Let me bring up the example of the Syrian-Armenians. Of course, the Ministry of Diaspora became the pioneer, but all the other government agencies join the movement later. Upon the relevant assignment of the President of the Republic of Armenia, everyone stood united as one and geared their efforts towards the same goal. I am certain that many of our compatriots, unions, organizations of Armenia and the Diaspora, state and non-governmental organizations and government agencies will join this new and pan-Armenian movement to declare the year 2017 as the Year of Artsakh. Only this way will we be able to support Artsakh and defend our borders together, always turning the power of word into a goal, reality, action and dedication.

Karine Avagyan: Thank you, Mr. Zakaryan! Let’s hope this pro-national initiative of the RA Minister of Diaspora becomes successful throughout the year. This is truly one of the right paths that will lead to the Light and is hinged on man and mankind, the Homeland and patriots and the love that we have for one another.

Interview by Karine Avagyan