On September 20, the 5^th Armenia-Diaspora Conference continued with four panel sessions.

During the second panel session devoted to the key issues facing the Syrian-Armenian community, the speakers discussed the issues facing Armenians having moved to Lebanon and Armenia, and the representatives of Armenia’s corresponding state bodies, as well as pan-Armenian and benevolent organizations presented the support programs for Syrian-Armenians in Armenia and identified the key issues and the possible mechanisms for solving those issues.

The speakers also reflected on the key issues facing other Armenian communities such as the Armenian communities in Iraq and Egypt. Moderator of the session, Prelate of the Armenian Diocese of Aleppo of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, His Eminence, Father, Archbishop Shahan Sarkisian began the session with the Lord’s Prayer.

Expressing gratitude to the RA Ministry of Diaspora for organizing the conference, member of the Diocesan Council of Cairo, ARF-D member, head of the Lusaber Cultural Association Suren Bairamian delivered a speech on “The Situation in Egypt” in which he drew parallels between the incidents in Egypt and those in Syria and particularly mentioned that due to the political developments, the main issue concerning the community is uncertainty. Out of the 45-50,000 Armenians in Egypt, there are only 5,000 people left.

Iraqi-Armenian public figure Baruyr Hagopian presented the situation in Iraq where there are only 10,000 people who are mainly based in Baghdad and Basra. Noting the support from religious and pan-Armenian organizations and the Armenian government, the speaker particularly mentioned: “We have to think of how we can ensure the preservation of the Armenian identity of Armenians who have left the Armenian communities in the Middle East.”

Dzovig Magarian-Baitarian presented the activities of Halep NGO, which was registered in Armenia last year with the aim to provide moral and financial assistance to Syrian-Armenians, provide homes and stop the emigration of Syrian-Armenians from Armenia so that they can return to Syria and help revive the community after peace is established in Syria.

President of the Center for Coordination of Syrian-Armenians’ Issues NGO Lena Halajian delivered a report on the activities carried out with the purpose of supporting Syrian-Armenians in Armenia and attached importance to the construction of the “New Aleppo” district, which is under construction.

Starting the discussion and exchange of views, moderator of the session, Prelate of the Armenian Diocese of Aleppo of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, His Eminence, Father, Archbishop Shahan Sarkisian expressed gratitude to all the structures, organizations and benefactors and particularly mentioned: “Today, the most important thing is unity. WE have to create a body with a new approach and with the purpose of helping Syrian-Armenians survive in Armenia and other countries.”

During the session, the participants suggested creating a National Body that would include Armenia’s state officials and leaders of religious and pan-Armenian organizations, would support Armenian communities in politically unstable countries, would set the priorities and would develop a rapid reaction strategy and organize efforts.