Press releases

PM welcomes Varuzhan Voskanyan and representatives of the Armenian community of Romania

04.04.2019

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received a delegation led by Romanian MP Varuzhan Voskanyan, who is Co-Chairman of the Armenian-Romanian Inter-Parliamentary Group. The delegation comprised Head of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s Romania Branch Office Karapet Khachaturian and Vice-President of the Union of Romanian Armenians Zare Nazaryan.

Welcoming the guests, Nikol Pashinyan said meetings with Diaspora-based Armenians are of special importance during which a number of issues relating to Armenia-Diaspora relations are discussed. The Premier pointed out that a key objective behind those changes taking place in Armenia is the formation of a new type of Diaspora-Armenia relationships and the formulation of a joint working agenda.

Touching upon the bilateral relations, the Prime Minister highlighted the launch of the new Yerevan-Bucharest air flight, and expressed the hope that it would be a success story.

Thankful for the warm welcome, Varuzhan Voskanyan said they had been closely following the developments and changes in Armenia. He expressed confidence that Nikol Pashinyan’s government would succeed in their noble mission. The Romanian MP said that the Armenian community is prepared to contribute to Motherland’s development and they are keen to keep in close touch and hold discussions with the Armenian government.

Dwelling on the activities of Romania’s Armenian community, Varuzhan Voskanyan expressed confidence that it could play an important role in the development and expansion of political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries. In this context, the interlocutors discussed the activities of the Armenian-Romanian intergovernmental commission, issues of enhancing inter-parliamentary relations, cooperation in the fields of economy, tourism, culture, and in the field of literature, in particular.

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The Armenian community of Romania is considered to be one of the oldest in Europe. Armenians settled in these territories from the 10th century. The tomb inscription made in 967 in the city of Chetatya Albe in Moldova testifies to the presence of Armenians there.

The Armenian community of Romania received a fresh breath after the 1989 revolution. In 1990, the Armenian Union of Romania resumed its activities, one of the founders of which was well-known politician and writer Varuzhan Voskanyan who is still heading it.

Voskanyan used to be Minister of Economy and Trade, then Minister of Economy and Finance in Tariceanu’s government. Currently, Varuzhan Voskanyan is a member of the Romanian Parliament. The Armenians boast a minority status in Romania, due to which the State supports the Armenian welfare institutions and the Church.

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