PARIS (Gamk)–Armenia’s foreign minister Vartan Oskanian visited the Armenian Community Home of Paris Tuesday–as part of his visit to France to take part in a conference of Armenian leaders which convened Monday.
Oskanian–accompanied by Armenia’s representative to France Christian Ter-Stepanian–diplomatic advisor Hamlet Gasparian and Hayastan Armenia Fund Executive Director Vahan Ter-Ghevondian–arrived at the Armenian center and was greeted by members and supporters of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.
Present at the gathering were representatives and members of the ARF France–Belgium and the Netherlands Central Committee–the ARF Rostom Gomideh of Paris–the Armenian National Committee of France–Armenian Blue Cross–Hamazkayin–Homenetmen–the Nor Serount ARF Youth Organization–Gamk newspaper and Ayp radio-hour.
Welcoming remarks were made by ARF Central Committee representative Hagop Yenikomshian–who stressed the role the ARF had played in preserving the ideal and dream of an independent homeland.
Yenikomshian stressed that with the Republic of Armenia–the ARF’s task has multiplied since in addition to maintaining the Diasporan communties–it also had the mission to work toward the strengthening of the Armenian homeland.
He proudly announced that–as always–the ARF was willing and able to do its utmost to ensure a strong Armenian state.
In his address to the community–Oskanian praised the ARF for being the torchbearer of Armenian national ideals and the defender of the Armenian cause.
Oskanian said–with the existence of an the Armenian Republic–all forces must work together to ensure strong state–both politically and economically.
"During the past six or seven years–unfortunately due to the misguided policies of the former authorities–it was difficult to imagine this moment," commented Oskanian pointing to the portraits of the three leaders of the ARF–Kristapor–Rostom and Zavarian. "It is truly an emotional moment."
Oskanian said that a new chapter had commenced in Diaspora-Armenia relations–stressing that those ties were based on mutual cooperation–with Armenia assisting in the strengthening of the Diaspora and the vise versa.
"We must be able to build a strong bridge between Armenia and the Diaspora," commented Oskanian.
In his concluding remarks–Oskanian thanked the ARF for organizing the event and expressed hope that solidarity with Armenia and Karabakh would continue.
At the end of the gathering–Yenikomshian presented Oskanian a seal belonging to the Ishkhan Hovsep Arghoutian–who served as Armenia’s ambassador to Iran during the first Republic of Armenia. The object came from the ARF museum–housed in Paris and was presented to Oskanian who was asked to present in to the Armenian History Museum in Yerevan.