On the evening of October 20, the delegation led by RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan visited the Armenian Prelacy of Cyprus. At the entrance to the Prelacy, the Minister was greeted by Catholicossal Vicar of the Diocese, Archbishop Khoren Doghramadjian and State Representative Vartkes Mahdessian.

As reported the Divan of the Armenian Prelacy to Hayern Aysor, among the attendees of the meeting were the Diocese’s clergymen, MPs, the chairperson and members of the National Council, members of political parties, charitable, cultural and athletic unions, societies and associations, representatives of the local educational institution, as well as editors of newspapers and guests.

His Holiness welcomed Minister Hranush Hakobyan and, on behalf of the Armenian community, stated that the Cypriot-Armenian community follows the programs and activities of the Ministry via mass media outlets. “It is a great pleasure for us to host you in our home, in your home. We know how closely connected you are to the Armenian community of Cyprus. Thus, once again, I welcome you to your home. With its religious and national representatives, the Armenian community of Cyprus participated in the 6^th Armenia-Diaspora Pan-Armenian Forum organized by the Ministry of Diaspora. I would like to stress once again that it was a joy for us to see the rise in the number of Diaspora Armenians participating in the events that are organized in the homeland. We are also aware of the problems and hardships facing the homeland and the Diaspora, and we are working together to solve the problems and overcome the hardships. As Catholicos Aram I put it, the trouble of the people in the homeland and the emaciation of the Diaspora are the problems of all Armenians, and we are certain that all these issues will be solved through the joint and combined efforts of Armenia and the Diaspora. Recently, you participated in the congress organized by the Armenian National Committee of Europe. Cyprus was also represented as a member state of the European Union. The Armenian Cause is first and foremost the claims, which are enshrined by the Pan-Armenian Declaration. We are aware of the fact that empowerment of the Republic of Armenia and international recognition of Artsakh’s independence are major guarantees for the settlement of claims and the restoration of our rights, as well as for the success of our nation. We also commend the fact that Cyprus, Greece and Armenia are coordinating the issues of the Diaspora through combined efforts. In this way, we are internationalizing our experience in working with the Diaspora. It is not by chance that, by uniting, these three countries are combining their efforts, which are historically similar and can be compared with each other. We pray to God to give you strength to gear all Armenians around the world towards the homeland in a more goal-oriented manner,” Catholicossal Vicar of the Diocese, Archbishop Khoren Doghramadjian stated in his speech.

In her speech, Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan expressed gratitude to the attendees for their care for and connection to the homeland, stressed the importance of Diaspora Armenians’ investments for the prosperity, development and empowerment of the homeland and touched upon the activities of the Ministry of Diaspora in detail.

After the speech by State Representative Vartkes Mahdessian, the attendees had the opportunity to ask Minister Hranush Hakobyan their questions of concern.