YEREVAN. – The matter of turkified Armenians is of strategic importance for Armenians, and cultural ties need to be established with them ensuring their return to their roots.

Armenia Deputy Diaspora Minister Serzh Srapionyan stated the above-said at a press conference on Friday.

“At the initiative of the Diaspora Minister [Hranush Hakobyan], a congress of turkified Armenians was convened, and it was found out that there are numerous enthusiastic people who have been to Western Armenia [today’s Eastern Turkey] numerous times, and they have found people there who confessed to being Armenian.

“And an idea originated to invite Armenians from those regions of Turkey that were freer from the pressures from the Turkish authorities, and repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the violation of their national rights,” Srapionyan said.