The third Global Armenian Summit has officially kicked off in Armenia, aimed at discussing the present and future of Armenia-Diaspora relations, Armenia’s development priorities and opportunities for joint cooperation.
In his opening address at the summit, RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan stressed that Armenia-Diaspora relations must be built not only on common history and national identity, but also on common goals, mutual trust and practical cooperation.
“We have gathered in Armenia from different countries of the world to discuss the present and future of Armenia-Diaspora relations, to share our assessments of the present and to plan our joint work for the future.
In the course of the daily work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, visits to Armenian communities and direct contacts with our compatriots, we are continuously convinced that Armenia-Diaspora relations must be built not only on common history and national identity, but also on reality, common goals, mutual trust and practical cooperation,” Sinanyan said.
According to him, the Diaspora is diverse, and Armenians around the world have different experiences, perceptions, and sometimes essentially differing understandings and approaches. But the goal is not to agree on all issues, but to turn that diversity into constructive dialogue and effective cooperation.
“Our approach is as follows: at the core of Armenia-Diaspora relations is the Republic of Armenia, with its sovereignty, statehood, democratic institutions and priorities. We can and must unite around the goal of building and preserving a sovereign, peaceful and prosperous Republic of Armenia, as well as strengthening communities,” the High Commissioner stressed.
Zareh Sinanyan also touched upon the importance of reciprocity in Armenia-Diaspora relations, noting that for years, when speaking about those relations, attention has mainly been paid to the question of what the Diaspora can give to Armenia. Meanwhile, in his conviction, the reverse question is just as important: what can Armenia offer Armenians around the world.
“We want our compatriots to view Armenia not only as a place for preserving their roots and identity, but also as a country where it is possible to live with dignity, work, receive an education, create, make investments and build one’s own future. We want Armenia to become, especially for our compatriots in the Diaspora, their home and a real opportunity to shape their own future.
The daily work of the Government of the Republic of Armenia is aimed at Armenia’s stable and secure development. Our goal is to build such a state, such an Armenia, from which not only local residents will not want to leave, but where our compatriots in the Diaspora will want to live,” he said.
According to Sinanian, the reforms being implemented are already bearing fruit, as evidenced not only by figures and indicators, but also by the changes taking place in citizens’ daily lives. At the same time, he stressed that the road to achieving that goal is long and difficult, and the Diaspora has its unique role in overcoming it.
“And how will we travel that road together, what role is envisaged for each of us. The Global Armenian Summit is an important platform for dialogue and cooperation aimed at providing answers to these questions.
In the coming days we will together discuss Armenia’s development priorities, regional developments, the economy, innovation, education, culture, science and many other topics, in which the Diaspora’s knowledge, experience and potential can play an important role,” the High Commissioner noted.
He particularly stressed that the purpose of the summit is not only the organization of discussions. According to Sinanyan, the success of the event should not be measured by the number of participants, events held or speeches. More important is what results will be recorded after the meetings.
“For us it is far more important what will happen after those meetings, which ideas will be turned into initiatives, what new partnerships will be formed and what practical results they will yield. The strengthening of Armenia-Diaspora relations certainly cannot be limited to the framework of one event and the discussions held. It requires daily, consistent and long-term work,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Zareh Sinanyan called on the summit participants to actively engage in the discussions, to voice the issues concerning them, to share experience and to present proposals.
“We are open to sincere dialogue and we are convinced that it must be turned into concrete steps and joint work. I wish us all productive work, meaningful discussions and, most importantly, practical results,” he said.
