In the framework of his working visit to Moscow, President Serzh Sargsyan participated at the celebrations dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Union of Armenians of Russia, an All-Russian non-governmental organization. On November 16 the President praised relentless work of the Union and its numerous projects implemented in Armenia at Renaissance Monarch Hotel of Moscow, which hosted over 150 people. The President of Armenia congratulated the Union on the jubilee and wished new success, productive work for the benefit of our people and fulfillment of the national aspirations. After dinner, it was announced that donations to the fund amount to 8 million. The maximum amount was promised by businessman, owner of Tashir Group Samvel Karapetyan – 2 million USD. The head of the Union of Armenians Ara Abrahamyan in his turn promised to allot 1.6 million USD. Let us mention that this amount is not final yet and may be increased during the upcoming telethon on November 25. This year the slogan of the telethon is “water is life.” The donated funds will be directed at the solution of the water issues of the NKR. Let us remember that during the telethon of 2009 the funds received from Russia amounted to 5 million USD. During the meeting with the businessmen Sargsyan mentioned, “I don’t mean individuals. I mean the whole nation and people and the respect addressed to them. We should work consistently with the whole nation to gain a maximum respect in the world, to gain a higher reputation and weight… Today we have a new reality. We represent to the world first of all as a state and as a world-spread Armenian Diaspora. So one of our main goals should be the fact that others should respect us because we live in different continents but work together and the expression of the joint and harmonious activity off this ancient nation. Believe me, a few people are endowed with this ability and it definitely deserves respect… It is known that there are states that are trying to incite respect to the foreigners by weapon and troops but it’s known that the retrospect of that is hatred rather than respect. That is not the way we should go, neither is the method of bragging. Our way is the ability to create, build and incite peace. So we should fundamentally reconstruct our home. Its residents must be protected in the military, legal and social aspects. We should continuously become stronger by expressing the solidarity of over 10 million Armenians. The national dignity is not expressed in a different way. This is our respect to us, as a result of which the respect of others grows in relation to us. I don’t doubt that through this method the collective Armenians will gain a higher reputation and wider doors will be opened in front of them. In the world the second most populated place after Armenia is Russia. Here they respect and recognize you. This fact is both an honor and obligation for you. You know very well the price of the gained respect and feel it impetus during your activities. So I mean this feeling and encourage you to multiply it.” And yesterday during the 10th anniversary of the Union of Armenians of Russia Serzh Sargsyan said the following, “Because the largest Armenian Diaspora is in the Russian Federation, we constantly follow and take notice of your progress and problems. It also explains the fact that the organization which incessantly builds up its capacities – the Union of Armenians of Russia – strives to be among the leaders of the All-Armenian projects. Years of persistent work resulted in the Union’s becoming a unique mainstay around which the Armenians of Russia unite,” President Sargsyan said in his remarks. Serzh Sargsyan highlighted the role of our compatriots in Spyurk, who after the reestablishment of the Armenian independence together with their brothers and sisters in Armenia bear full responsibility for success and difficulties, contributing to the advancement and strengthening of the Motherland. At the same time, they serve as a bridge in the interstate relations, fostering cooperation and strengthening relations. In this context, President Sargsyan spoke about rich history and great human potential of the Armenian Diaspora of Russia. “The contribution of our compatriots to the development of the Armenian-Russian cooperation is remarkable, particularly, regarding its economic component. It’s no accident that Russia is our strategic partner and reliable colleague. It’s also no accident that Russia is the leader in the area of investment projects implemented in Armenia. This is a manifestation of exemplary interstate relations which are promoted also by the Armenian community of Russia,” Serzh Sargsyan said, underscoring that our task now is to further expand the Armenia-Diaspora relations and ensure the proper use of our world-spread compatriots’ potential. He also added, “It was one of the first steps of my tenure to establish the Ministry of Diaspora. It can already be considered a developed structure, which was achieved due to joint efforts. So now our objective is the reunion of the potential of the wide-spread Armenian Diaspora.”
