Lebanon - On August 10, High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan, along with the Republic of Armenia Ambassador to Lebanon Vahagn Atabekyan visited the Armenian Prelacy of Lebanon and met with the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Lebanon Archbishop Shahé Panossian. After expressing his gratitude for the welcome, the High Commissioner talked about the humanitarian aid provided by Armenia to the Lebanese government and the Armenian community. He also noted that in addition to providing aid, one of the main reasons for the visit is to get acquainted with the conditions of the Lebanese-Armenian community after the explosion.
The Primate of the Diocese, having described the condition of the community, emphasized that Lebanese-Armenians have seen many difficulties and will be able to overcome this as well.
Zareh Sinanyan highlighted the fundraiser organized by the Hayastan All Armenia Fund specifically for the Lebanese-Armenian community. The parties discussed possible areas of assistance, in particular the reconstruction of educational institutions. Members of the Armenian delegation were present at the meeting.
Later that day, High Commissioner Sinanyan visited the Chaghzoyan Center in Beirut and met with ARF representatives. Ambassador Atabekyan and members of the Armenian delegation attended the meeting.
High Commissioner Sinanyan presented the reason for his visit and underlined the importance of being in direct contact with Lebanese-Armenians and community organizations, and identifying problems through face-to-face meetings.
Lebanese MP Hagop Pakradouni thanked the Armenian government for quickly responding to the explosion and standing by the community physically and emotionally.
High Commissioner Sinanyan also visited the office of the Lebanese branch of the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party and met with the chairman Sebouh Kalpakian, who noted how important it is that the government of Armenia and Prime Minister Pashinyan are in constant contact with the community, especially given the current situation. After which the chairman discussed the SDHP’s activities in Lebanon and in Armenia.
The High Commissioner reinstated the readiness of the Armenian government to stand by the Lebanese-Armenian community. He also stated that one or two community institutions will be rebuilt by Armenia’s efforts. Furthermore, Sinanyan presented the steps taken by the government for repatriation, specifically the Law on Repatriation, and the ongoing work to establish a repatriation and integration center.
Afterward, the members of the delegation took a tour of St. Gevork church and the adjacent medical center where they spoke with representatives of the Armenian community who were affected by the explosion.
Later that day, the High Commissioner paid a visit to the Tekeyan Cultural Center in Lebanon.
He also visited the AGBU office and met with members of the organization headed by Gerard Tufenkjian. High Commissioner Sinanyan was introduced to the activities of the Lebanese branch of the organization, and the work being carried out after the explosion. The AGBU office has assessed the needs of 400 Lebanese-Armenian families, on the basis of which assistance will be provided.
Zareh Sinanyan noted that the Office of the High Commissioner is working effectively with the AGBU and expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation. Issues affecting the Lebanese-Armenian community were discussed during the meeting.
During the trip to provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon and visit the community, members of the Armenian delegation met with the President of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East Rev. Megerdich Karageozian and the Rector of Haigazian University Paul Haidostian. RA Ambassador to Lebanon Vahagn Atabekyan was present at the meeting.
Welcoming the guests, the Reverend stressed that it is a great honor to receive the Armenian delegation during these difficult days for Lebanon and to see them by their side. “When I saw the airplane with the “Armenia” inscription carrying the humanitarian assistance with Mount Ararat in the background, I was sincerely moved,” stated Rev. Megerdich Karageozian while presenting the community’s predicament and the economic crisis before the explosion, which had a direct impact on the Armenian community. The Reverend also noted that the explosion had a serious emotional and psychological impact on the Lebanese-Armenian community.
During the meeting, RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan, discussed the details of the humanitarian assistance, the two additional airplanes, and the steps being taken by the Armenian government regarding repatriation. The High Commissioner placed emphasis on the establishment of a Repatriation Integration Center by the end of the year and the adoption of the Law on Repatriation, which is in its final stages.
The delegation took a tour of the Armenian Evangelical Church with its famous stained glass cross which is now entirely shattered. The members of the delegation also visited Haigazian University and witnessed the damage to the educational institution.
On October 9, the Armenian delegation to Lebanon met with His Beatitude Gregory Peter XX Ghabroyan Catholicos-Patriarch of Cilicia of Armenian Catholics. RA Ambassador to Lebanon Vahagn Atabekyan was present at the meeting.
The Patriarch welcomed the delegation and addressed the situation facing Lebanese-Armenians including the human and material losses the community has suffered.
High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan, thanked the Patriarch for the welcome and noted that the Republic of Armenia is providing aid to the Lebanese government, the Lebanese people, and the Lebanese-Armenian community. “The goal of this visit is to develop a comprehensive understanding of how we can support our Lebanese-Armenian compatriots,” stated the High Commissioner.
In his remarks, the most revered Patriarch emphasized that the Armenian people have two hearts, Armenia and the Diaspora, and expressed joy that the Armenian people finally have a free and independent homeland. He also highlighted the assistance received from the government of Artsakh two weeks ago. "Our brothers are with us, and this was a very beautiful gesture."
At the end of the meeting, High Commissioner Sinanyan noted that two additional planes with humanitarian assistance are scheduled to fly to Beirut, the food and medicine they carry will be provided to the Armenian community.
Lebanon: Today’s morning mass was presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I at the
Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, in Antelias, seat of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia. Members of the Armenian delegation to Lebanon took part in the ceremony including, RA High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan, Head of Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan’s Office Serge Varak Sisserian, MP and Head of the Armenia-Lebanon Friendship Group Hrachya Hakobyan, Executive Director of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Haykak Arshamyan, and Chief of Staff at the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Sara Anjargolian.
Shortly after, the delegation had a meeting with Catholicos Aram I during which, His Holiness presented the state of the community and gave an overview of what Armenian populated districts look like after the explosion, highlighting that Armenian homes have been severely damaged and need immediate reconstruction. His Holiness emphasized the importance of prioritizing the community’s needs, and properly assessing them, for which work is currently underway, a committee that represents all community institutions has been set up.
High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan noted that the purpose of this visit is not only to accompany the humanitarian aid, but also to get acquainted with the situation on the ground, and have direct contact with Lebanese-Armenians.
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I emphasized that the Diaspora must be strengthened along with Armenia. In this regard, Zareh Sinanyan highlighted the fundraiser dedicated to the Lebanese-Armenian Diaspora organized by the Hayastan All Armenia Fund.
At the end of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed that the doors of the homeland are always open to the Diaspora.
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