As Hayern Aysor already reported, October 18^th marked the launch of the 4^th Congress of European-Armenians in Belgium. Among the participants are Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia, President of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan, Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan and others.

In her welcoming remarks during the opening ceremony of the congress taking place at the Armenian Home in Brussels, Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan  attached importance to the conduct of the politically, historically and nationally resonant congress, which features discussions on major issues related to the Armenian Genocide, the Artsakh issue and preservation of the Armenian identity.

The Minister touched upon the Armenians in Europe who have been honored and have had a reputation for a long time and have made their contributions to the advancement of world civilization. Hranush Hakobyan also talked about the Mekhitarist Congregation established on Saint Lazarus Island and the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon.

In her speech, the Minister also attached importance to the issue of repatriation, touched upon the issue of the Armenians detached from their respective communities (return to the roots), the reforms taking place in Armenia and emphasized that Armenians need to be able to empower Armenia through combined efforts.