On September 19, the 5^th Armenia-Diaspora Conference continued at Elite Plaza Business Center there Syrian-Armenians showcased and sold their hand-made works at an exhibition-sale held in the lobby of the business center.

The panel session devoted to the key issues facing the Syrian-Armenian community was held at Aramyants Hall and included discussions on the current challenges facing the community and the ways to solve the key issues.

Press secretary of the Armenian Diocese of Aleppo, general speaker for the Armenian Apostolic, Armenian Catholic and Armenian Evangelical communities of Syria Jirair Reyisian gave a speech devoted to “The Crisis in Syria and the Armenians in Syria: Reality and Expectations”. Reyisian talked about the overall situation in Aleppo, Homs, Latakia and other Syrian cities, expressed gratitude to all the organizations that have provided assistance to the Syrian-Armenians and talked about the financial and moral assistance. Reyisian particularly mentioned that there is a need for serious analysis of Armenian political thought in relation to the events taking place in Syria. “Recovery is not only through funding. The existence of the community is as important,” Reyisian said.

Greeting the gathered, Prelate of the Armenian Diocese of Aleppo of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, Archbishop Shahan Sarkisian particularly mentioned the following: “It’s a pleasure to be in Armenia the homeland and meet Syrian-Armenians here. Let’s stand up and respect the memory of our martyrs with a moment of silence.”

The Holy Father expressed gratitude to the President of the Republic of Armenian for the government support to the Syrian-Armenians and wished the homeland strength and advancement.

Maria Gabrielian delivered a report on the activities carried out by Syria’s Emergency and Recovery Unit.

President of the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches of Syria, the Reverend Harutyun Selimyan delivered a speech on “The Situation and the Challenges Facing the Syrian-Armenians” in which he particularly mentioned: “The first issue that we have to solve is security. I welcome the fact that the Republic of Armenia is doing everything possible to help solve the Syrian-Armenians’ issues in all spheres, but our dream is to return to Syria. We must protect the Armenians in Syria.”

RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Syria Arshak Poladyan mentioned that the RA Embassy in Damascus and the Consulate in Aleppo are doing everything they can and even the impossible to help our compatriots.

Father, Supreme Archimandrite Antranik Ayvazian presented the situation in Qamishli.

Member of the AGBU Central Board Vasken Yacoubian gave a speech on “Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance to Syrian-Armenians and the Assistance of the AGBU”.

Senior scientific worker of the Department for Arabic Countries of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia Araks Pashayan delivered a speech on “The Perspective of the Syrian-Armenian Community”.

The session ended with a discussion and exchange of ideas.

The panel session devoted to the key issues facing the Syrian-Armenian community will continue on September 20.