The New Year is an occasion of accountability and, at the same time, of planning the next haven of our life and specifying its priorities. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, told the aforesaid on occasion of New Year and Christmas.

In his speech, Aram I underscored the four priorities for 2016.

a) Firstly, he noted that the spirit, faith, will and commitment for the restoration of Armenian people’s rights should continue with new impetus, larger content and always with joint efforts.

According to him, the pursuit of the Armenian cause should first and foremost be more organized and involve the adoption of new strategic and tactical approaches in line with the present geopolitical realities.

Besides, he noted that “our reclamation should be placed into a legal framework in a studied and planned manner.”

b) Despite Armenia’s achievements in the period of independence, Aram I urged to “have the courage and wisdom to see our faults and point out to them.” In this context, he expressed his concern about the migration and the bad state of Armenia’s economy.

c) The Catholicos also urged the Diaspora to reorganize. “The strengthening of Armenia and Karabakh also supposes that of the Diaspora and vice versa. This is no ordinary slogan, but supposes a different practice both on behalf of Armenia and the Diaspora,” he said.  Moreover, he stressed that in line with the reorganization, the formal cooperation between Armenia and Diaspora should be put on healthy and strong bases and in a precise direction, with the specification of mutual expectations and roles. 

d) Finally, according to Aram I, restoration of the Syrian Armenian community is a national priority. “Therefore, it’s obligatory to support the activities of the community,” he said.

“Apparently, each community of Armenia, Karabakh and Diaspora also has other important plans and necessary work to do, but we consider the mentioned four areas as important priorities. We are sure that through this commitment we must take part in the implementation of plans that will further strengthen our nation,”Aram I concluded.