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Armenian Leader Meets Diaspora Reps In Moscow

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  • Armenian Leader Meets Diaspora Reps In Moscow

    ARMENIAN LEADER MEETS DIASPORA REPS IN MOSCOW

    Armenian Public TV
    June 24 2008
    Armenia

    President Serzh Sargsyan, who is on an official visit in the Russian
    capital Moscow, has met representatives of the Armenian community at
    Moscow's Ritz-Carlton hotel. The meeting was an unprecedented one: the
    whole elite of the Armenian community has gathered in one building -
    well-known intellectuals, scientists, economic and political figures,
    and the best friends of the Armenians. President Sargsyan spoke about
    three issues that worry the Armenian diaspora all over the world:
    the political situation in Armenia, the peaceful settlement of the
    Nagornyy Karabakh conflict and Armenia-Turkey relations. He said that
    he intends to take new steps to stimulate Armenian-Turkish relations
    and to invite the Turkish president to Yerevan to jointly watch a
    match between Armenian and Turkish national football teams. Lusine
    Lazarian reports from Moscow.

    [Passage omitted: correspondent gives details of hotel facilities,
    representatives of the Armenian diaspora]

    [President Serzh Sargsyan] The Armenians all over the world believe
    that the Armenian community in Russia nowadays is the largest,
    influential and serious community. This is true. At the same time,
    the Armenian diaspora in Russia, unfortunately, is the least organized
    one. Due to objective reasons there are no big structures, advocacy
    organizations or unions here.

    [Correspondent speaking over video of the meeting] Serzh Sargsyan said
    everyone present in the hall must ensure that the Armenian diaspora
    in Moscow has its new Lasorev Seminary and that the Armenians unite
    their efforts. The president said that the Ministry of Diaspora,
    which is being formed, can greatly contribute to this cause. Serzh
    Sargsyan outlined a very important circumstance: not only the diaspora,
    but the motherland itself is ready to overcome the challenges of the
    21st century.

    [President Serzh Sargsyan] Today Armenia has entered a new period
    of reforms. I have said on numerous occasions that the solution
    of problems that face Armenia and the success of our programmes is
    possible only if all the Armenians unite their efforts. Up to the
    present the diaspora played a major role in the establishment of
    our state and economy. The time has come when Armenia's increasing
    opportunities allow us to say confidently: Not only the diaspora has
    a role in Armenia's development, but also Armenia has a great role
    in solving the problems of the diaspora. I assure you that from now
    on this will be the principle of Armenia-diaspora relations.

    [Correspondent] The Armenian president considered it necessary to speak
    about the three key issues facing the country with the representatives
    of the largest Armenian community that lives outside the country.

    [President Serzh Sargsyan] The first is the political situation
    in Armenia. A political force, which months before the [19
    February presidential] election clearly announced that it would
    not accept any result of the election, except for its own victory,
    is trying to destabilize the situation in the country via political
    blackmailing. No-one has the capability to undermine stability in
    our state via calls for the overthrow of the elected authorities,
    threats and terrorizing.

    [Correspondent] The second issue concerned Armenian-Turkish
    relations. Serzh Sargsyan made clear the readiness of the Armenian
    government to take new and non-traditional steps - opening the borders
    and establishing a committee.

    [President Serzh Sargsyan] In the future I intend to take new steps
    to stimulate Armenia-Turkey relations. Most probably, very soon I
    will invite the Turkish president to visit Armenia.

    [Correspondent] The third issue concerned one of the most important
    issues on the agenda of Armenia's foreign relations - the Karabakh
    conflict.

    [President Serzh Sargsyan] The people of Nagornyy Karabakh, within
    the framework of law and then in a forced struggle for survival,
    have earned their right to have an independent state, and the issue
    cannot be settled with this status being reduced.

    [Correspondent] Toasts and speeches were made for the better future
    and the strengthening of Armenian-Russian friendship.
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