YEREVAN. – Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan, who is on a work visit to US, on September 24 headed from New York to Los Angeles. On the first day of his visit, Sargsyan visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Montebello, laid a wreath in memory of the Genocide victims, and planted a tree at the memorial park, Presidential Press Service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

On September 25, Serzh Sargsyan attended opening of an economic forum organized by the Central Bank of Armenia and Bank Association of Armenia. This event brought together representatives from the business community of Armenia and US state of California.

In his address to forum participants, the President underscored the need to make full use of Armenian Diaspora’s potential, for the benefit of Armenia’s economic growth and strengthening of the Republic of Armenia. Serzh Sargsyan noted that, in the past 20 years, the Armenian citizens’ potential likewise was not used to the fullest in terms of economic growth. In the President’s words, there have been both achievements and shortcomings ever since Armenia’s independence. And speaking solely about the shortcomings, in the President’s view, means dropping responsibility from one’s own shoulders onto someone else’s.

“We are the masters of our shortcomings and achievements alike,” Serzh Sargsyan noted.

According to the President, if that potential were to be used to the utmost, we could have had more achievements. Sargsyan also thanked the Diaspora-Armenian businessmen for their past-20-year activities toward strengthening the motherland.

“I am hopeful that, with combined efforts and in a foreseeable future, we would have a country of which we all would be proud,” he said.

President Serzh Sargsyan also attended a Holy Mass, at the newly built Saint Ghevont Diocesan Headquarters Cathedral in Los Angeles. Subsequently, a reception was held at the Diocesan Headquarters during which Armenia’s President met with representatives of the parish council and Armenian benefactors living in western coast of the United States.

On the same day, President Sargsyan also attended opening of the representation of the Ameria Group. In Los Angeles, the President also took part in opening of the new building of Armenia’s General Consulate. Serzh Sargsyan expressed confidence that all our compatriots who live in this coast of US would definitely get the chance to visit our Consulate, at least once.

“I call upon those who like our authorities and those who dislike our authorities, because many things are temporary. The difficulties are temporary, even war is temporary, liked and disliked authorities are temporary; but the motherland is eternal, and this very building is the connecting link with the motherland. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I would like to express thanks to the US that, during the most difficult times for our people, it allowed our compatriots the opportunity to enter the United States, to live in dignity, to develop, to integrate with the society of this powerful country, and to make their historical homeland known. We are proud of you, and we will do everything so you could be proud of us,” Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan stated, also thanking the local authorities.

On the evening of September 25, Sargsyan attended in Los Angeles the festive reception celebrating 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence. Prior to that, however, Armenia’s President met with world renowned opera singer, Placido Domingo.