President Robert Kocharian’s Speech at the Second Armenia-Diaspora Conference
Your Holinesses, 
Dear delegates, 
Dear guests, 

I congratulate you all on the occasion of the opening of the second Armenia-Diaspora conference. Three years ago, we started a process, the importance of which could hardly be overestimated. The idea behind this process is to evaluate the possibilities for integrating Armenia and the Diaspora and to find ways to achieve this integration. The purpose is to preserve and strengthen the national potential in this rapidly changing world. 

Let me evaluate the past three years. There were very rich in events that had serious impact on international relations and require detailed examination: 
-speeding up of European integration processes; 
-radical changes in the global security system following the September 11 events: 
(a) U.S.-Russia relations 
(b) Russia-NATO relations. 

We are in a very sensitive region. Armenia is a small country. Proper participation in international security system is an important component of our own national security. 
Life has show that our policy of complementarity proved to be correct. The idea behind it is to try to gain from easing the tensions between great powers and blocks, rather than increasing these tensions. This formula also allows the Diaspora Armenians to work effectively in various countries to advance the interests of the Armenian state. The correctness of our policy towards greater integration with Europe is also obvious. 
How to move forward? This is a serious question and I expect a productive debate during the conference. One thing is obvious: issues of Armenia’s security have started to play an extremely important role in the power centers around the world. 
Many things happened in the Armenian domestic political situation in the last three years as well. The tragic events in the parliament in October 1999 and, as a consequence, a threat of a civil war. We managed to stabilize the situation. Above all, this indicates that civil society in Armenia is on a sufficient level. 

Today, domestic political situation is stable. The country is getting ready for the 2003 elections. It is possible that there will be some manifestations that are characteristic to countries in transition, but I am confident that everything will be in accordance with the law. We have become members of the Council of Europe. This means that democracy and human rights processes have become part of our international obligations and are subject to constant monitoring on the part of the international community. In other words, an institutionalization of irreversibility of our democratic reforms is taking place. 
The pace of economic reforms has picked up. The purpose is to develop the priority sectors, to attract investments and to encourage exports. Fight against corruption is of special importance. We have a program here. Membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) will allow us to have a predictable access to the markets of WTO countries. This would also indicate that market relations in the country have already been established and are irreversible, despite all the shortcomings. I hope that the issue of WTO membership will be resolved this year. 
I would describe our economic situation as follows. The volume of reforms in the economy allows the market mechanisms to function fully and creates an environment that is favorable for investments. As a result, we have a high pace of economic growth and Armenia’s reputation as a country that is attractive for business is on the rise. 

Dear compatriots, 
Let me say a few words about the work that was done on the basis of ideas and proposals made during the first conference. 
1)Creation of a common information space as an integration tool 
Today, Public Television is broadcast everywhere from Australia to Los Angeles. They are now working on addressing the problem of different time zones and different language environments. The ultimate goal is this: information space should be interactive and should take into consideration the geographic and linguistic characteristics of the Diaspora. We are trying to create something like an Armenian CNN. This objective can be fully achieved through your participation only. 
Creation of an all-Armenian Internet network. The first steps are being taken now. I am confident that this idea is fully realistic. 
2)Implementation of pan-Armenian initiatives and active involvement of the Diaspora on equal rights with Armenia. 
Pan-Armenian sporting events. Significant expansion of the number and geography of participants. 
Festivals under the title of “One Nation, One Culture.” 
Organization of pan-Armenian competitions, events and conferences (e.g. conferences of young scientists) that were particularly active last year. 
Celebrations of the 1700th anniversary of Christianity and Diaspora’s full participation in all the processes. 
3) Establishment of a Pan-Armenian youth center in Armenia. There was such a pledge, but there has been a delay. The organizational and financial aspects of this issue have been solved, and I am confident that the center will start running in 2003. I have no doubts that we will have the most highly reputable youth club in Tsaghkadzor. 
In this context, we welcome the organization of various summer events in Armenia at the initiative of various youth organizations from the Diaspora (e.g. scouts, etc.) 
4) Establishment of an Armenian Development Agency, whose Board would include representatives from the Diaspora. Today, the Agency has already been established and is actively supported by various international financial organizations. 
We went even further in the development of this idea. 
Organizations working with investors in Armenia have been institutionalized. 
Councils to support tourism, high technologies, and business development have been established with the participation of representatives of the Diaspora. I must say that our brothers and sisters from the Diaspora play an extremely important role in this, since they have brought in their experience and approaches, which makes the activities of these organizations more practical. 
5) Teacher training. In 2000-2001, more than 500 teachers received training, most of them directly in Armenian communities abroad. 

6) Government awards have already acquired a pan-Armenian nature. 
This is a list of activities we have done after the first conference, and the list is far from being complete. 
Now we need to talk about expanding our activities. I would particularly point out the need to continue the efforts aimed at creating a pan-Armenian information network. This would be the most efficient tool for creating a common language and cultural space. 
Doubtless, pan-Armenian initiatives must continue and their agenda can be expanded. Let me add a number of concrete projects, the implementation of which would give Armenia clear advantages. For example, mobilization of efforts to turn Armenia into a regional medical and educational center. Naturally, the program should be commercial. 
Computerization of all schools in Armenia. 
There are many interesting ideas and programs. I hope very much that they will be discussed openly during this conference. 
Dear compatriots, 
There is a question that is always raised during such meetings: what are the most acceptable organizational ways of integrating Armenia and the Diaspora today? This is a question that interests everyone. 
It is clear to me that any way of organization must take into account the realities of the Diaspora. These are: 
- The Diaspora has traveled a long road of self-organization. There are institutions that have been in place for dozens of years, institutions with the already established complex system of relations. In addition, Armenian communities are deeply integrated with their host countries and naturally reflect the peculiarities of those countries. 
It is obvious that it is impossible to manage the Diaspora as a single unit and there is no need to do that. Moreover, such an attempt would create many new problems and would pull us apart from each other; the opposite is also true – Armenia should not be run from the Diaspora, which would also bring about some difficulties. 
However, I am confident that it is possible: 
- to develop common approaches to all-national issues, 
- to coordinate the activities that stem from concerted approaches, 
- to implement concrete programs of all-national nature. 
We are capable of working very clearly in these three areas. 
The organizational format for such cooperation could be periodic pan-Armenian conferences, i.e. exactly what we are doing now. Such conferences have no parallels in terms of their representation. 
Where else, if not here, can we define all-Armenian issues and develop common approaches to addressing them? 
Having agreed on approaches, each one of the Diaspora organizations would be able to work by itself, taking into consideration the peculiarities of its host country, the past experience and the capabilities of the existing organizations. We can get together every three, four or two years. This is something we need to decide, but I am sure this is a realistic approach. 
Let us acquire an experience of such cooperation. Life will show how to move forward. 
Philanthropy is a special topic in the Armenia-Diaspora relations. We are grateful to Diaspora Armenians for their charitable activities through various organizations. This is not only assistance to dozens of thousands of people to take care of their social problems. Easing the social burden on the economy allows the country to focus on economic reforms and overcoming the problems of transition. Lincy Foundation’s activities in Armenia are above all praise. This is serious contribution both to charity and to the country’s economic development. 
Construction of the North-South road in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic with the help of the Hayastan Pan-Armenian Fund is a necessary condition for the development of Karabakh’s economy. 
The earthquake zone, schools, hospitals – these are the main targets of charitable activities. People see that and they are grateful. It would be desirable to see more coordinated and concerted activities with the Armenian Government – what we already have in the case of cooperation with large organizations, particularly with organizations that already have some experience in charity work. I must admit that our government organizations were unable, after all, to find efficient legal and administrative solutions in terms of charity cargo. Slow action often causes unnecessary delays and justifiable frustration. The existing procedures have to be reviewed. 
Diaspora’s involvement in the Armenian economy is a separate big subject. I would like to make a few main points in this regard. 
We work actively with business communities in the Diaspora. Business forums with Diaspora businessmen or with their active participation have become a common occurrence. In the last two years, there were 17 such conferences. I must say there has been some positive changes in this regard, there are many success stories. 
Involvement in the economy can take different forms. 
- Direct investments: 
a)participation in privatization, 
b)building of new enterprises. 
- Involvement of various foreign companies through personal contacts. Our compatriots have such ties, they work with such companies, and their personal experience and ties can be very useful for these processes. This would bring in orders to Armenia and access of Armenian products to new markets. 
- Business ties with Armenian businessmen: 
a)placing of orders, 
b)movement of Armenian products into new markets. 
- Participation in the securities market and the banking sector. 
- Consulting and lobbying services to get quotas for different types of products or preferential trading regimes. This is a very concrete and diverse area, but each one of them has a great potential of becoming a reality, which would be a serious impetus for the development of Armenia’s economy. 
The whole essence of economic reforms in Armenia is to get integrated with the world economy. Business practices in Armenia have to be understandable and predictable. Investments have to be properly protected by law and deed. The Government still has much to do in this regard. We are prepared to hear all your suggestions in this regard. 
Today I must also talk about the Nagorno Karabakh issue. Let me express myself in formulas. 
- We support a peaceful resolution of the issue through negotiations. 
- We think it is necessary for the Nagorno Karabakh Republic to participate in the settlement process. 
- We recognize the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s right to self-determination and self-defense. 
- We are responsible for security of the people of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The Nagorno Karabakh Republic has never been a part of independent Azerbaijan and was formed as a result of the processes that accompanied the dissolution of the Soviet Union. There can be no talk of violating the territorial integrity of any country other that that of the Soviet Union. 
- We are prepared to discuss the settlement in the legal framework. 
I often get asked: “What is the limit of compromise?” Factual level of independence and security – this is that limit and we cannot go for any compromise beyond this limit in the resolution of the Karabakh issue. 
The Nagorno Karabakh Republic must remain in the center of the Armenian people’s attention. We have to seriously address Karabakh’s economic and social issues. Being complacent in this issue would mean jeopardizing all our achievements. I am not satisfied with the pace of construction of the North-South highway. I am not satisfied with the level of investments into the economy. I suggest we include these issues among the priority decisions to be made during this conference. 
I think it is important that the building of Nagorno Karabakh’s statehood be in compliance with European values. Democracy, human rights and market reforms will allow Karabakh to enter the international community harmoniously, even with its present status. The more it is involved, the easier it would be to protect Nagorno Karabakh’s political interests in international organizations. 
About recognition of the Armenian Genocide. This issue continues to remain on the Armenian foreign policy and the Diaspora’s agendas. It is a very sensitive issue that concerns everyone. In the last few years, we have witnessed a number of countries recognize and condemn the Armenian Genocide. The process continues. A successful solution to this issue requires persistent and coordinated activities on the part of all of the Diaspora organizations and our government agencies. This is the way to ensure success in this issue. 
I don't want to talk separately about lobbying activities, to talk long about them, because there are people and experts here in this hall who are more versed in these issues. I must say that this is a very important issue and I am confident that there will be an interesting and productive discussion on it during the conference. Particularly in today’s globalization, in the context of today’s world events, this issue could acquire much greater and decisive importance, provided active and proper work is carried out in political circles. 
Dear compatriots, 
I tried to be as concrete as possible. We have started a process that has a beginning, but does not have an end. Both Armenia and the Diaspora will always be there and the issue of productive cooperation will always be on the all-Armenian agenda. This is not a simple process and it requires great effort on the part of the national potential. At this moment, it is hardly possible to predict the results with great degree of precision. Mathematicians would say: “there are too many unknown variables in the equation.” If expectations are set too high, there could be disappointments; underestimation of our capabilities would mean lost opportunities. 
I suggest to think and act big. I see Armenia as the most organized country in the region with developed knowledge-extensive economy. Our generation has a responsibility and an honor to build such an Armenia that would belong to us all. 
We have organized this conference with these expectations, and I wish the conference productive work.

Thank you. 

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