YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–Armenia’s President Robert Kocharian Wednesday received a delegation of the Armenian community of Argentina–which was in Armenia on the occasion of the official visit of Argentinean President Carlos Menem.
Kocharian described Menem’s visit as quite productive.
Speaking about the relations between the Diaspora and Armenia Kocharian pointed out that Armenia’s approaches to this issue have recently changed. "We expect your active participation in the economic development of our country," Kocharian said to the Diasporan delegation.
Referring to the importance of moving from humanitarian programs to those aimed at development–Kocharian called on the Diaspora to regard the Armenian government as a business partner. "Each Armenian of the Diaspora must be allowed to have his own house and business in Armenia if he can afford it; our task is to create conditions for you to feel yourself at home when you come to Armenia," the president underlined.
Meeting participants stressed the significance of maintaining constant contact with Armenia and expressed their willingness to continue to assist in the process of state-building in Armenia.