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Fresno, California, USA, is now home to the country’s first Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia.

Berj Apkarian, executive director of physician relations at Community Medical Centers, was announced as honorary consul during the annual State of the County address last month, The Fresno Bee reported. He immigrated to Fresno from Syria in 1979.

Apkarian said the voluntary appointment is an honor and a privilege. For his first big project as consul, Apkarian said he wants to take a team of medical and dental professionals to Armenia next October to host a medical education conference and provide free care for needy people in rural communities.

“In addition to the project itself, my goal is to establish a closer tie between the central San Joaquin Valley and Armenian commerce, (culture, medicine) — all aspects of bringing two nations and communities closer,” he said.

Armenians in the US currently get visas, citizenship documents and other diplomatic services through the Armenian Consulate in Los Angeles. Those services will now be available in Fresno.

“Given the size of our community, that’s just not representative,” said Fresno County Board of Supervisors Chairman Andreas Borgeas. He added that the ceremonial position resulted from several years of work with the Armenian embassy in Washington, Armenia’s foreign ministry in Yerevan, and the U.S. State Department.

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