“Hayern Aysor” presents Aysor.am’s interview with RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, who talked not only about the programs and activities of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, but the plans for next year as well.

Aysor.am: Mrs. Hakobyan, first let’s refer to the passing year. What do you view as the greatest achievement of the RA Ministry of Diaspora in 2014?

Hranush Hakobyan: Gaining more trust can be viewed as the greatest achievement. It’s very important when working with organizations. We held more programs last year because of that trust. We have not only engaged more people, but have also expanded the geography.

Another important achievement is that the events and preparations ahead of the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide have gained momentum. Armenians have established regional committees in more than 60 countries and are seriously preparing for the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. This is nice to see. It is also nice to see how the parliaments of several countries such as France and Greece are adopting laws criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide and how the Parliament of Bolivia recently recognized the Armenian Genocide. The struggle continues.

I also view the formation of Armenian communities in the Diaspora as an achievement. They’re actively involved in achieving recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and collaborate within different frameworks. Several state parliaments have already recognized Artsakh’s self-determination, including the Parliament of the Land of the Basques and the Senate of the State of California. I view all this as the greatest achievements. The RA Ministry of Diaspora has carried out all of its programs successfully and has never been criticized for any one of those programs. They have been carried out in the right place and at the right time.

I also view the 5^th Armenia-Diaspora Conference as the greatest achievement. We hosted more participants and organizations this year. It was unprecedented since the conference was held for four days in the homeland. In that period, we drafted and adopted a declaration that we will refer to as we accomplish our goals in the course of the next three years. This will allow each pan-Armenian organization of the Armenian Diaspora to make plans for the future and create programs, based on the priorities of the nation.

Aysor.am: Armenia received numerous Syrian-Armenian families after the intensification of the conflict in Syria. There were several programs for support, but there were also difficulties. As Minister of Diaspora, how would you evaluate the situation of those families in Armenia? What kinds of support programs are there now?

H. H.: You know, if 1-2 out of 17,000 people complain about things that have nothing to do with the government or state bodies, that doesn’t mean that there are complaints. Throughout the past three years, including this year, we have carried out large-scale activities. Currently, there are 12,000 Syrian-Armenians living in Armenia. That’s the result of our efforts, and I think they are fruitful efforts. If we didn’t achieve success, Syrian-Armenians wouldn’t contact us and would leave Armenia like the rest. I’m very pleased with the fact that nearly 1,500 Syrian-Armenian schoolchildren attend Armenian schools and that more than 900 Syrian-Armenians are enrolled at Armenian universities. This is free for them, and the Armenian government has created all the conditions for them. Today, thousands of Syrian-Armenians receive free medical assistance, undergo free heart surgeries and are provided with different medical services at no cost.

It’s safe to say that the Armenia government and Syrian-Armenians are on good terms. All the basic services are free, including entry and exit, taxes for driving licenses, payments for entry and exit of cars and more. There are privileges that are also made by the principle of exception. They’re related to passports, documents and legal services. At the same time, we also try to provide Syrian-Armenians with jobs. As for small and medium businesses, we’re seriously working in that direction. We introduce Syrian-Armenians to Armenian legislation so that they’ll be aware of all the secrets of doing business in Armenia. Today, more than 100 young Syrian-Armenians have been granted loans worth more than $500,000 dollars and have already placed them into circulation.

I believe all this says a lot, and Syrian-Armenian youth have successfully managed to overcome all the difficulties. The fact that Syrian-Armenians are able to work in a literate and organized manner and are very smart, intelligent, literate and pro-national people is very important. Today they have brought with them a new culture and are working with respect towards their fellow workers and other people. In 2014, Syrian-Armenians showcased their handmade items at about five exhibitions. They amazed citizens of Armenia with their ideas and creativity. The CoE is going to examine and discuss the activities with Syrians living in different countries and will be giving its evaluation on that. I believe there won’t be problems with the Syrian-Armenians in Armenia at all since the Armenian government’s activities are going to be rated as the best.

Aysor.am: Armenian society often asks whether there was a need to establish the Ministry of Diaspora or not, especially since ministries are now being grouped together. What is your evaluation? To what extent do you consider the joining of the Ministry of Diaspora to this or that ministry possible?

H. H.: First, it’s not criticism, but opinions, and each person can have his or her own opinion. We are living in a free and independent Armenia where each person is entitled to his or her opinion. As far as the Ministry of Diaspora is concerned, I must say that the Ministry of Diaspora is not for the Armenians of Armenia to be concerned or decide whether Armenia needs to have that kind of a ministry or not. The Ministry of Diaspora is for Diaspora Armenians. They are the ones who should give evaluations. Our ministry is involved in solving the issues concerning Armenians abroad. As to how we do our job, I think you have to ask our compatriots living abroad. All Diaspora Armenians have always commended and congratulated the ministry’s efforts and have been inspired by the ministry’s activities. If there were other opinions, Diaspora Armenians wouldn’t find it appropriate to work with us and all our programs wouldn’t be implemented. I repeat-we work for the Armenian Diaspora.

Our object and sphere of activity is the Armenian Diaspora. As far as the ministry’s disbandment is concerned, first, I must say that ministries are not constant. They increase in number, are disbanded, are joined and get smaller. Life is changing, and the system of governance is changing as well. If it’s not appropriate, it might be disbanded. I pray to God that we Armenians no longer have a Diaspora and no Ministry of Diaspora. As far as the joining of the ministry is concerned, we have to take into consideration what tools are required for the authorities and the system of governance. If the authorities say they don’t need the tool called “Ministry of Diaspora”, then the ministry will be disbanded and will be joined to this or that ministry. I don’t think this topic should be speculated and become a topic for discussions.

The ministry was established based on appropriateness of the moment. It’s a fact that this ministry should have been established 17 years ago. When Armenia declared its independence in 1991, all Armenians were so happy and inspired that they didn’t know what to do. The people wanted to come together and work in Armenia, but there was no body to coordinate all that. Today, it’s safe to say that there is a body that manages to consolidate Armenians with knowledge, potential and the feeling of patriotism, and everyone welcomes that.

Aysor.am: And finally, what do you wish our compatriots, including Armenians of the Diaspora next year?

H. H.: As a representative of a body coordinating the issues concerning the Armenian Diaspora, first, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and wish only peace. Today, there is a need for peace not only for Armenia and the region, but the whole world. I would like the year 2015 to be a year of peace, tranquility and stability. Armenians are scattered across the globe, and if there is a problem in any country, that problem concerns our compatriots. So, Armenia becomes the one that bears that directly. I would also like to see Armenians keep their honor and reputation high. There are people among us Armenians who truly deserve to be glorified and are an honor for any nation. We have to be honorable and appreciated. We have to give them strength and motivate them. I would like to see young Armenians more literate and more competitive in the 21^st century.

This era is truly an era of knowledge, ideas and innovations, and the bearers must first and foremost be Armenian youth. I would like to see us achieve greater heights in 2015. The year 2015 is a symbolic year for us Armenians. I want it to be remarkable not only for the Armenian government, but the Armenian nation as well. I want it to be a year that will favor Artsakh. I want it to be a year marked by international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide and to see Turkey finally come to grips, stop distorting history and recognize the Armenian Genocide. I want to see Turkey stop thrusting a wedge between Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora, but as I see it, the country can’t stop doing that.

The year 2015 must become a special year for consolidating Armenians in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora. We have a lot of things to say and a lot of work to do next year. Our objective is to advance the Armenian Cause. We have to be able to raise our issues at many levels and platforms around the world and demand the rights of our communities and the nation. May God help us reach the maximum and the minimum that we want to reach! Happy New Year and Armenian Christmas!