make preferableYEREVAN. – Armenia’s Minister of Diaspora, Hranush Hakobyan, received the “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund senior officials from twenty countries.
The minister underscored the organization’s role and thanked its Board of Trustees members for assisting in the ministry’s programs, the Diaspora Ministry press service informs. Hakobyan noted that the Armenian government’s 2013 program will pay a greater attention to economic development. Also, the minister urged the Diaspora Armenians to create jobs in Armenia and to focus on using the Armenian language. She also deemed a priority for the Diaspora-Armenian children to visit Armenia.
Diaspora Ministry Chief of Staff Firdus Zakaryan delivered a presentation on the challenges that are faced by the Syrian Armenians who have moved to Armenia. He noted that changes were made in Armenia’s legal documents, thereby facilitating the Syrian Armenians’ entry to and status in Armenia. It was noted that all of the Syrian Armenians’ education and healthcare issues were resolved at no cost. The discussants also spoke about founding a residential district for Syrian Armenians in Armenia’s Ashtarak city.
Hranush Hakobyan informed those present that the Syrian Armenians were allocated more than $500,000-worth loans at low interest rate, so they may start their businesses in Armenia.
“The Armenians of Syria are very hard-working; they flourish whichever domain they enter,” the minister added.
The “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund representatives suggested the Diaspora Minister that the ministry make use of the resources of this organization and it have Ministry representatives in the Armenian embassies.
In her turn, Hranush Hakobyan informed that the Diaspora Ministry does have representatives in Armenia’s embassies in Russia, France, US, and Lebanon, but the respective geographical scope needs to be expanded.
