Trends of repatriation remain high in 2023, says High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan

YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Repatriation trends remain high in 2023 and the flow that began in 2022 is maintained, according to High Commissioner of Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan.

Sinanyan said his office received 1000 letters, 200 calls and 60 visits in January-March of 2023. Another 32 Syrian-Armenians applied for healthcare issues.

He said that the Center for Integration of Repatriates, which will be opened soon, will facilitate the process by offering comprehensive services in a single location.

The High Commissioner of Diaspora Affairs said his office has been working in very difficult conditions in the past years, because the COVID-19 pandemic was followed by the war, and all of that impacted the Armenia-Diaspora relations.

“We must be able to restore the atmosphere of honesty, sincerity based on mutual respect between the Diaspora and Armenia. And most importantly, we must all understand what needs to be done and what unites us all. Our priority objective is to formulate this, the rest are tactical steps, while the development of this healthy atmosphere doesn’t only depend on our work, but also the nature of relations between Armenia and our compatriots in the Diaspora, and by creating this all we can bring qualitative change into our relations, which will bring huge benefits to both Armenia and the Diaspora,” Sinanyan told ARMENPRESS.

It is important to establish relations not on the principles of a donor and a philanthropist, but based on mutual dialogue, understandable, profitable foundations for all sides.

The Global Armenian Summit, which was held in October in Yerevan, is part of that dialogue, he added.

As a result of the event, Sinanyan’s office began developing the Armenia-Diaspora Strategy, which will be submitted to the government’s approval.

Another idea generated during the summit is the creation of the Global Armenian Congress, a consultative body under the Office of the High Commissioner of Diaspora Affairs. The congress is now under development.

The National Youth Conference, another event organized by Sinanyan’s office, will take place August 1-3, 2023. Over 450 participants are expected to attend the event.

He praised the iGorts program, noting that 68% of participants chose to stay and work in Armenia.