On June 21, the Ministry of Diaspora held a teleconference with representatives of Haiasa Federation of the Armenian community of France. Among the participants from Armenia were Deputy Minister of Diaspora Babken Der-Grigorian and representatives of the Department for Armenian Communities of Europe at the Ministry of Diaspora.

Among the participants from France were President of Haiasa Federation Haik Shahinyan, co-founder of Haiasa Federation Narek Voskanyan, representative of Info Armenie Nareh Tadevosyan, President of “Azat Dzayn” (Free Voice) organization Vigen Akopoff and member of Haiasa Federation Ani Hovhannisyan.

Greeting the participants of the teleconference, Deputy Minister of Diaspora Babken Der-Grigorian stated the following: “I welcome your willingness to collaborate with the Ministry and participate in the programs in the New Armenia. The Armenian government is developing a strategy on national preservation and repatriation that is targeted at effective use of the intellectual and financial potential of the Diaspora for Armenia’s development and is aimed at ensuring appropriate conditions for repatriation.”

The Deputy Minister listened to the comments and suggestions of President of Haiasa Federation Haik Shahinyan, urged the Federation to work with all Armenian organizations in an positive atmosphere and attached importance to the French-Armenian community’s unity, consolidation and expansion of the circles of cooperation.

Talking about the opportunities for the growth of tourism, member of Haiasa Federation Ani Hovhannisyan added the following: “Tourism can serve as a tool for cultural dialogue between Armenia and the Diaspora and can help ensure a huge flow of tourists to Armenia.”

The current issues of the French-Armenian community, as well as the upcoming programs for Armenia’s economic development and scopes of cooperation in the spheres of tourism, sport and education were discussed during the teleconference.