The 5^th Armenia-Diaspora Conference, which was held ahead of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, reaffirmed that

the future enlargement and development of the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora partnership will help specify and implement the priorities of the nation, will contribute to the security of the Armenian people, as well as to the consolidation of all Armenians around the nation’s interests and goals.

All Armenians must gear their efforts towards

• further reinforcement, advancement and security of the Republic of Armenia;
• the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that is fair and hinged on international law;
• further organization of the Diaspora;
• preservation of the national identity and consolidation of the potential of all Armenians;
• international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide and elimination of the consequences;
• consolidation of all Armenians around the Armenian Church;
• support and assistance to Armenians in states of emergency.

We, the participants of the Conference,

Taking into consideration the geopolitical developments and the challenges facing the region,

            declare

1. the following priorities of the nation as the ideological basis for the Armenia-Diaspora partnership:

1.1  Building a Strong and Secure Armenia

We, representatives of all Armenians around the world, affirm that, through combined efforts, we will continue to build a  country that is protected, making it stronger and more secure.

Armenia is the Homeland of all Armenians, and the solution to problems facing Armenia and the implementation of pan-Armenian programs will only be possible through the consolidation of the intellectual, financial and organizational capacities of all Armenians since every Armenian is responsible for the development and security of the Homeland, regardless of place of residence.

The main route to take to reduce poverty in Armenia and the level of emigration is to continue the reforms being made in administration, society and economy (agriculture, tourism, trade, service, information technologies, food industry, ecology, mining industry, energy, urban development, etc.), improve the business environment, increase investments, create jobs, engage more Diaspora Armenians in the economy and ensure conditions for them to gain profit.

The ultimate objective for our unity must be to create a developed, democratic, strong and secure Armenia for the future generations.

1.2. Independent and Secure Artsakh

We take pride in the courage and endurance of the people of Artsakh.

Due to the pan-national liberation struggle, for the past 23 years, the people of Artsakh have been building the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic hinged on norms of international law and the principle of the right of nations to self-determination.

The social and economic issues of the NKR have been solved and continue to be solved through the goal-oriented assistance from Diaspora Armenians as well.

Together we are going to fight to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at the political and diplomatic levels, and we support the efforts of the Minsk Group for a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict hinged on international law, that is, the principle of equal rights and self-determination.

All Armenians are going to do everything they can to fight against Azerbaijan’s destructive policy, its daily manifestations of the threat to use force, its attacks on Armenia’s border and its belligerent stance.

We express our gratitude to the state and municipal authorities of different countries for recognizing the independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. This is evidence of the just position and good will of those governments and nations, as well as the goal-oriented efforts of local Armenian organizations that need to be expanded and ongoing.

Once again, we reaffirm that the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is a part of our historic Homeland and that its fate is of crucial importance for the Armenian nation. Thus, our struggle will continue until a just and ultimate resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

1.3. Organized Diaspora

We, the representatives of all Armenians around the world, affirm that at the current milestone for the historic development of the Armenian people and Armenia, the Diaspora is the most important factor in terms of bringing a new sweep to the struggle for the Armenian Cause and in terms of ensuring the coordinated participation of Diaspora Armenians in the solution to issues that are of vital importance for the Republic of Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

By taking into consideration the challenges facing the nation and the world, Diaspora Armenian structures and organizations must review their plans and engage more and more Armenians and newcomers in the activities of the structures and organizations.

Diaspora Armenian organizations, along with the state and private institutions of Armenia and Artsakh, must plan and do the following:

•  set forth new approaches to review the Armenia-Diaspora Strategy;
• gear their efforts towards resistance to assimilation of Armenians in the Diaspora, prevention of th loss of language and culture and preservation of the Armenian identity among the new generation of Armenians in the Diaspora;
• take special care of the Armenian communities that still haven’t become fully organized;
• assist in the consolidation of Armenians around Armenian communities and community organizations.

The Diaspora and Diaspora Armenian organizations serve as a unique bridge between Armenia and the international community. Thus, they must do their best to contribute to the dialogue between nations and civilizations, deepen and enhance the partnership between Armenia and the Diaspora and between different sectors of the Armenian Diaspora, as well as reinforce the friendly relations with the Diasporas of different nations.

1.4. Armenian Language as a Guarantee for Preservation of the Armenian Identity

We are committed to preserve the purity of the native language with its Eastern Armenian and Western Armenian ramifications and as one of the major pillars for our existence, as well as to develop and transmit it to the generations with a realistic and logical approach.

Preservation of the Armenian identity in the Diaspora is one of the key objectives of the Republic of Armenia. The State assists in different formats as it collaborates with pan-Armenian structures, Armenian organizations and constantly improves and enhances the mechanisms for partnership.

Armenian schools and cultural centers, as well as preservation of our historical heritage and enhancement of Armenians’ creativity must become the matter of daily concern.

We must gear our efforts towards the strengthening of the Armenian family, the preservation of national customs, traditions, names and last names, as well as the use of the Armenian language at home and in an Armenian environment.

One of our main concerns must also be to make sure that young Armenians get to know their Mother Homeland in addition to having an abstract idea of the Homeland.

We clearly realize that the Armenian Language and the national awareness are the necessary conditions for the eternity of our nation and that preserving them is the key objective of the Armenian State and Diaspora Armenian organizations.

1.5. Centennial of the Armenian Genocide

We record that activities are being carried out in the Republic of Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora ahead of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide through the creation of a large-scale movement with the motto “I Remember and Demand…”

The creation of the State Commission in charge of Coordinating Events Dedicated to the 100^th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide led by the President of the Republic of Armenia and more than 50 regional committees brought a new sweep to the recognition and condemnation and elimination of the consequences of the Armenian Genocide planned and perpetrated at the state level in Ottoman Turkey and Western Armenia.

We express our gratitude to all the countries, public and political figures, benefactors and missionaries who provided the Armenians with homes and ensured peaceful conditions for them after the Genocide and who had the political courage to tell the truth about the Armenian Genocide.

We are especially grateful to the countries and international organizations that have recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide as a horrible crime against humanity and demand that Turkey lift that heavy burden, come to grips with its past and recognize the Armenian Genocide.

The Armenian people, accepting as a basis the norms of international law in relation to human rights and the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide adopted in 1948, will fight for the restoration of the individual rights of every Armenian, as well as the rights of the communities and the entire nation.

Taking into consideration the fact that the Armenian Genocide is an international crime against humanity, the recognition and condemnation of which has no expiration and the fight against which is for not only the restoration of historical justice and acknowledgement of the rights of an entire nation deprived of its homeland, but also to make sure that

• genocide is never repeated in any part of the world an no nation is subject to genocide;
•  Turkey recognizes it and eliminates the consequences of genocide by taking full responsibility for the crime;
• every Armenian, incognito or forcefully converted, is able to declare himself or herself Armenian and put an end to the psychological suffering.

From now on, recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide and elimination of the consequences thereof will be on the agenda for our political struggle, and we will reach the final solution to the Armenian Cause through the combined efforts of all sectors of Armenians, by remembering and demanding.

1.6. Consolidation Around the Armenian Church

For centuries, the Armenian Church has been and remains one of the main pillars for the Armenian spirit and national identity, the one that transmits our faith and universal values to all generations, as well as the one that initiates and implements pro-national and patriotic initiatives.

Throughout the centuries, the Armenian Church has carried out its mission and has also made invaluable contributions to national preservation, which is a cherished act, and plays an irreplaceable role in the history of our country and our nation, which was the first to adopt Christianity as a state religion.

The Armenians were scattered across the globe, but thanks to the Armenian Church, they never lost their connection to the great values that form the Armenian identity.

We attach importance to the strengthening and further reinforcement of the Armenian Church for the eternity of the spirit and national identity of the Armenians, as well as the consolidation of the nation around the Armenian Church.

1.7. Security of Armenians in States of Emergency

The conflicts in different parts of the world also put the lives of Armenians at risk and are becoming a new challenge for the Republic of Armenia. Today, the Syrian-Armenians are in difficult conditions. The main Armenian community is being emptied as a result of the war. More than half of the Syrian-Armenians have become refugees, and the other half are suffering losses in a state of war on a daily basis.

Today, thousands of Syrian-Armenians have settled in Armenia, and we state with satisfaction that the government has made efforts to create suitable conditions for healthcare, education, employment and training.

Almost all the Armenian communities of the Diaspora provided their moral and financial assistance to the Syrian-Armenians, including the Kessab-Armenians.

We reaffirm that the Armenian State and the Diaspora will extend a helping hand to every Armenian in a state of emergency by discussing the format and mechanisms of assistance with the given country and the Armenian Church.

2. Approve the proposal of RA President Serzh Sargsyan to rename the State Commission in charge of Coordinating the Events Dedicated to the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide as the “Pan-Armenian Council” after April 24, 2015 in order to coordinate urgent issues of national concern.

3. The mass media in the Republic of Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora serve as a large-scale pan-Armenian network of information. Due to the priorities of the nation, from this point forth, the mass media must work more consistently and systematically in order to raise the level of the international community’s awareness about Armenia’s achievements and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. They must also take action against the falsifications and misinformation of Turkey and Azerbaijan and combine their efforts to reflect on key issues of Armenians in foreign mass media and to contribute to the solution of the Armenian Cause.

4. This DECLARATION shall serve as a basis for the Government of the Republic of Armenia, including the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia and other government agencies, pan-Armenian structures and Armenian organizations, to be committed to implement the ideas stated in the Declaration and solve the problems indicated in the Declaration through the implementation of relevant programs and initiatives.

We are strong together, and together we will shape our history and future for a strong and secure ARMENIA, for an independent and victorious ARTSAKH and an organized DIASPORA.

PARTICIPANTS OF THE 5^TH ARMENIA-DIASPORA CONFERENCE

Yerevan, 20 September 2014