GLENDALE—Armenia’s Minister of Diaspora, Hranoush Hakobyan, visited the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA’s Regional Headquarters and met with Regional Executive board members, administration, chapter executive representatives, and prior board members. She was accompanied by Armenia’s Consul General, Grigor Hovhannisyan, and personnel Gagik Vartanyan and Armine Balian, respectively.
ARS Central Executive Chairperson Vicky Marashlian, Central Executive Board Member Nova Hindoyan, ARF Central Committee member Shant Baboujian and Western Prelacy Executive Council Chairperson Rima Boghossian were among those in attendance.
Arousyak Melkonian, Regional Executive Board Chairperson, welcomed Minister Hakobyan and conveyed information regarding the valuable work, activities, and services provided by the region’s ARS chapters and Social Services offices.
In her remarks, Hakobyan commended and praised the ARS’ 100 years of humanitarian service. Thereafter, she familiarized guests with the various initiatives of the Diaspora Ministry and stressed that the establishment of the ministry has helped reinforce and advance the development of partnerships between Armenia and the Diaspora. Minister Hakobyan also brought attention to five central issues, which as a people, we should stand undivided. They include issues related to the Republic of Nagorno-Karabagh; recognition of the Armenian Genocide; reducing the expansion of the Diaspora; religious belief; and strengthening of our homeland.
Following her remarks, time was allotted for a question-answer period during which the Minister addressed questions posed by guests regarding educational and cultural issues, as well as those related to relations between Armenia and the Diaspora.
