Belgium’s Armenian community holds fundraiser to support Syrian-Armenians

YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. A fundraiser was held on May 1 in Brussels’ St. Mary Magdalene Armenian Apostolic Church. The fundraiser was organized to support Syrian-Armenians, European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) communications and PR liaisonBedo Demirdjian told ARMENPRESS.

Almost all Armenian organizations of Belgium had joined the fundraiser.

Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Beroea Archbishop Shahan Sargisyan and Aleppo’s Armenian community representative Karapet Yuzbashyan were present at the event.

“The purpose of the event is briefing the Armenian community of Brussels on the challenges which Syrian-Armenians face. The Archbishop presented their expectations in religious terms, as to what point they’ve reached and what can be done for the Syrian-Armenians. Karapet Yuzbashyan in his turn presented the problems of the Syrian-Armenians, and Belgium’s Armenian community tried to help Syrian-Armenians with material support”, Demirdjian said.

The money will be given to the Armenian Church of Syria.

Demirdjian says the Church is the best structure which is well aware of the community’s problems.

“Political meetings are also expected. Archbishop Shahan Sargisyan and Karapety Yuzbashyan will participate in the May 2-3 meetings organized by EAFJD. They will meet with parliamentarians of both federal and regional levels of Belgium. A meeting is also scheduled with European Parliament officials. The purpose is notifying on the Syrian-Armenians’ issues”, he said.

Prior to visiting Brussels, the Archbishop and Yuzbashyan were in France, where a similar event was held for supporting Syrian-Armenians. They will depart for Netherlands afterwards with the same purpose.