![\"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Sassunian-son-resim3.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Sassunian-son-resim3.jpg\")
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I just returned from a three-day conference in Yerevan where \u00a040 Armenian activists, journalists, and representatives of political, religious and cultural organizations from 18 countries (Argentina, Armenia,\u00a0Artsakh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Netherlands, Russia, Syria, United States, and Uruguay) attended closed-door briefings from senior government officials.<\/p>\n
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The attendees met with the Vice Speaker and chairs of all parliamentary committees, President\u2019s Chief of Staff\u00a0Vigen\u00a0Sargsyan, Foreign Minister Eduard\u00a0Nalbandian, Defense Minister\u00a0Seyran\u00a0Ohanyan, Diaspora Minister\u00a0Hranush\u00a0Hakobyan, National Security Council Secretary Artur\u00a0Baghdasaryan, Constitutional Court Chairman\u00a0Gagik\u00a0Harutunyan, and President of\u00a0Artsakh\u00a0Bako\u00a0Sahakyan<\/p>\n
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Since the briefings dealt with sensitive political and national security issues and were off-the-record, I can only disclose the general topics without attribution to a specific speaker or participant:<\/p>\n
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— Armenia\u2019s decision to join the\u00a0CIS\u00a0Customs Union instead of signing the European Association Agreement;<\/p>\n
— Threats to Armenia\u2019s national security and efforts to neutralize them;<\/p>\n
— Preparations for possible international legal action against Turkey to secure restitution for the Armenian Genocide;<\/p>\n
— Plans for the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide;<\/p>\n
— Status of signed but not ratified Armenia-Turkey Protocols;<\/p>\n
— Superior morale of victorious Armenian soldiers — an advantage over\u00a0Azeris\u00a0in a renewed war with Azerbaijan;<\/p>\n
— Diaspora\u2019s participation in the economic development of Armenia and\u00a0Artsakh.<\/p>\n
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The conference, organized by the Diaspora Ministry, provided the participants the rare opportunity to offer their critical assessment of the situation in the homeland and to openly question Armenia\u2019s and\u00a0Artsakh\u2019s highest officials. The political leaders and their diasporan\u00a0guests emphasized the urgent need for a framework or structure that would coordinate the efforts of Armenians in Armenia, Artsakh\u00a0and Diaspora. During the conference and media interviews, I proposed the creation of a pan-Armenian committee which would include representatives from Armenia,\u00a0Artsakh, and Diaspora, to deal expressly with the critical needs of\u00a0Artsakh, similar to the Centennial Committee for the Armenian Genocide, except that the\u00a0Artsakh\u00a0committee would be of a permanent nature.<\/p>\n
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On September 21, the conference participants were invited to attend the special presidential reception in celebration of Armenia\u2019s Independence Day. The evening ended with an impressive concert and fireworks show in Republic Square.<\/p>\n
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Prior to arriving in Yerevan, I attended the spiritually uplifting consecration of Moscow\u2019s Armenian Cathedral, which reportedly cost tens of millions of dollars contributed by generous Russian-Armenian businessmen. The magnificent church structure and the nearby community center are expected to play a critical role in preserving the Armenian language and Christian faith for the two-million Armenians living in Russia. The September 17 consecration ceremony was attended by the Presidents of Armenia and\u00a0Artsakh,Catholicos\u00a0Karekin\u00a0II, high-ranking Armenian clergymen from around the world, and Russian Orthodox Patriarch\u00a0Kirill. Pres. Putin did not attend due to his absence from Moscow.<\/p>\n
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On this august occasion, a series of concerts, receptions and banquets were held in Moscow hosted by the Armenian Diocese of Russia for the large number of guests from throughout the world. In appreciation,\u00a0Catholicos\u00a0Karekin\u00a0II recognized the two dozen benefactors of the Cathedral by bestowing upon them the highest honorific medals of the Armenian Church.<\/p>\n
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While in Moscow, I attended several jewelry-related events, organized by prominent Armenian jewelers in Russia. For the first time in a hundred years, an Armenian,\u00a0Gagik\u00a0Gevorkyan, President of\u00a0Estet\u00a0Jewelry House, was elected head of the prestigious Russian Jewelers Guild. Mr.\u00a0Gevorkyan\u00a0sponsored the lavish annual Jewelry Charity Ball at his company\u2019s headquarters in Moscow, attended by over a thousand jewelers and their families, including well-known Armenian jewelers from France, Canada, and the United States.<\/p>\n
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With a sense of great pride, I watched members of the Armenian Jewelers Association from Russia and North America address the distinguished guests at the International Jewelry Economic Forum and display their precious handiwork at\u00a0JUNWEX, the XII International Jewelry and Watch Exhibition.<\/p>\n
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Before departing Moscow, I gave several TV interviews and participated in a panel discussion on\u00a0Hayk\u00a0Demoyan\u2019s new book, \u201cTurkey\u2019s Foreign Policy and the\u00a0Karabagh\u00a0Conflict.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Despite the hectic schedule, my journey to Moscow and Yerevan opened up important networking opportunities for closer collaboration between Armenia and the two largest diaspora communities of Russia and the United States.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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