In 2009, the budgetary financing of the RA Ministry of Diaspora Ministry totaled AMD 392 m, Minister Hranush Hakobyan stated in Parliament.

The ministry staff costs totaled 292m AMD, with the rest 100m AMD spent on various programs. Hakobyan also said the Ministry managed to save about 20% of the funds.

The funds were particularly spent on publishing books on the history of the Armenian Diaspora – on the history of Armenian communities in Istanbul, Israel, Scandinavia. A special volume on Armenians in Baku in the 19th century was released. “We want people to know that Baku was built by Armenians,” Hakobyan said.

The Ministry also published volumes on the history of Javakhk Armenians and Diasporan Armenians’ culture. Moreover, sixty reports about Diaspora Armenians’ return to the Motherland in the latter half of the 20th century century were prepared. “We want to learn the previous experience and use it now to stimulate Armenians’ return their Motherland,” Hakobyan said. She reported that about 500 Diasporan Armenians have settled down in Armenia during the last three years. “I always tell Diasporan Armenians that their Motherland is not a resort. Motherland is our home we have to build together,” the Minister said. Hranush Hakobyan also reported that the Armenians Today e-newspaper, an online library, as well as program translating from Eastern Armenian to Western Armenian and vice versa have been created.

A.G.