Meeting with representatives of Armenian communities of Europe

RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan on 22 June had a meeting with representatives of Armenian communities of Europe who had come to Marseilles from Belgium, Italy, Spain, Austria, Portugal, the Czech Republic, as well as different cities across France.

The RA Minister of Diaspora introduced the activities of the RA Ministry of Diaspora for the development of Homeland-Diaspora relations, further strengthening of partnership, the government’s policy on partnership, as well as the programs that the ministry develops and implements in different spheres.

During the meeting, Hranush Hakobyan also presented the efforts being made to support Syrian-Armenians and answered questions concerning the gathered.

The heads and representatives of Armenian communities of Europe gave speeches and attached importance to the ministry’s policy and the pan-Armenian programs that are carried out. They also presented their activities and talked about the major problems and future actions.

Head of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Austria Rubina Ghazaryan mentioned that the film “Aghet”, which is devoted to the Armenian Genocide, was filmed through the efforts of the Armenian community of Austria. On 24 April, the Austrian-Armenian community initiated a program through which a letter about the Armenian Genocide was sent to all representatives of the Parliament of Austria. Mrs. Ghazaryan mentioned that such actions will continue and voiced hope that all Members of Parliament will eventually respond to the community’s initiative.

President of “Urartu” Armenian-Czech Company Alexander Sargsyan highly appreciated the RA Ministry of Diaspora’s efforts and attached special importance to the need to develop and strengthen the homeland and raise Armenia’s international reputation and emphasized the role of Diaspora Armenian structures and organizations and all Armenians.

Narine Petrosyan from the French city of Nice commended the ministry’s programs supporting the Syrian-Armenians, mentioning that the Syrian-Armenian community is currently the most vulnerable community and is in dire need of help. Petrosyan also briefly presented her community’s efforts in that direction.

The participants made comments and suggestions and set aside the steps to be taken ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. They also attached importance to more similar meetings for effective collaboration and the implementation of new programs.

On the same day, Minister Hranush Hakobyan participated in the official event organized by the Armenian Trade Network during which RA Consul General in Marseilles Vardan Sirmakesh, President of the Armenian Trade Network Vahram Pirjanyan and Director of ARARAT TV Richard Findikyan were awarded the Gold Medal of the RA Ministry of Diaspora. A diploma of the RA Ministry of Diaspora was awarded to Vice-President of the Armenian Trade Network Jack Avdoian.

On the last day of the “French-Armenian Excellence Week”, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan laid flowers at the monument to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, after which she participated in a Divine Liturgy served at the Armenian Apostolic Church in Marseilles. Hranush Hakobyan also attended an event organized in her honor at the hall next to the church and gave a speech.

The next morning, Minister Hranush Hakobyan left for Warsaw.

 

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