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YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed the Commissioners for Diaspora Affairs from foreign countries.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, during the meeting, Pashinyan emphasized the establishment of the Institute of Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs.
“A few years ago, we made a political decision, and now it is taking on a very specific function and being implemented. Our goal is to make the Armenia-Diaspora relationship more institutional and state-oriented, as well as to create a system that will enable daily communication with our communities in the Diaspora on behalf of the Republic of Armenia. In this sense, it will institutionally and systematically represent the issues, agendas, concerns, and issues of the Diaspora to the government of the Republic of Armenia,” noted Pashinyan.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of delineating functions, stating: "The Diaspora, no matter how important and precious it is to us, is not an institution of governance for the Republic of Armenia. Furthermore, no matter how important and dear the Republic of Armenia is to the Diaspora, it is also not an institution for governing the Diaspora. This is a very important distinction. We need to clarify the nature of these relations. While there have always been formulations of this issue, we must adjust the relationship between these formulations and reality.”
“Let me also say that there may be a need to formulate and propose answers to this question in the context of the new situation. In this regard, we are certainly counting on you, because this is not a case where the Government will present a formulation on its own. We can share ideas, offer suggestions, and provide feedback on the proposals you put forward, but this is work that we need to undertake together,” said the Prime Minister.
“I want to welcome you all, express my joy and satisfaction to have this opportunity for contact, and thank you for your willingness to take on this difficult responsibility. There is a shortage of leverage, the responsibility is significant, and it certainly requires courage from everyone involved to assume that status,” the Head of Government noted. He also welcomed the commissioners' efforts and their intention to advance the agenda that exists and could be developed between the Republic of Armenia and Armenians around the world.
According to the Armenian Prime Minister's Office, the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan stated that the commissioners are actively involved in community life and have strong ties with Armenia. He noted that the number of commissioners has already exceeded a dozen and emphasized the ongoing process of appointing commissioners in various countries.
According to the source, Prime Minister Pashinyan urged those present to focus on Armenia and its interests in their activities, making Armenia one of the most important components of their identity.