Minister of Diaspora of Armenia Hranush Hakobyan held a news conference on September 29 on the occasion of the ministry’s 2nd anniversary. The Armenian communities worldwide could see the news conference on line. This must be the reason why more ministry officials than journalists attended the news conference.

Minister Hakobyan made a 45-minute-long opening statement, a singular instance for Armenia. There turned up written questions then, which was another surprise for the journalists. The questions must have been prepared by the ministry officials, and some of the journalists left the conference hall. The event, which can hardly be called a news conference, must have been intended for the Diaspora and can be considered a report on the previous and planned work

According to Hakobyan, the ministry was established at the Armenian Diaspora’s urgent request, for their voice to be heard by the Armenian Government and President. However, “we have not so far got to know the Diaspora, with its various needs, opinions and faces.” But this 7-million-strong crowd can be united round the following:

-a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict;

-international recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire in 1915;

-security and consolidation of Armenia and Artakh;

-struggle against the Diaspora’s alienation and for preservation of the Armenians.