Tuesday, August 11 2020 15:50

ArmInfo.  This morning, the  High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of Armenia Zareh Sinanyan,  accompanied by the RA Ambassador to Lebanon Vahagn Atabekyan, visited  the National Prelate of Lebanon and met with the Primate of the  Armenian Diocese of Lebanon, Archbishop Shahe Panossian.

As the press service of the Committee told ArmInfo, the High  Commissioner spoke about the humanitarian aid provided by Armenia to  the Lebanese government and the Armenian community, noting that the  purpose of this visit was also to familiarize with the situation of  the Armenian community of Lebanon on the spot.

The Primate of the Diocese, representing the community, emphasized  that the Armenians of Lebanon many difficulties, and they will also  be able to overcome this one.

Sinanyan mentioned the collection of funds specially for the Lebanese  Armenians, initiated by the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund. The parties  discussed the directions of possible assistance, in particular, noted  the importance of the restoration of educational institutions.

Sinanyan also visited the Shahzoyan Center in Beirut and met with  representatives of the ARF, presenting the purpose of the visit,  stressed that he considers it important to have direct contacts with  community structures and Lebanese Armenians, as well as to identify  problems in direct meetings.

Lebanese MP Hakob Bagratuni thanked the Armenian government for the  quick reaction after the explosion, as well as for the psychological  and physical support to the community. During the meeting, the sides  discussed topics related to the Armenian community.

On the second day of the working visit, High Commissioner Zareh  Sinanyan also visited the office of the Lebanese branch of the  Hnchakyan Social Democratic Party and met with its chairman Sepuh  Kalpakyan. The latter stressed that the RA government, represented by  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, is in constant contact with the  community, which is very important in these conditions. Then the  chairman of the party presented the activities of the SDP in Lebanon  and Armenia, describing in detail their work.

The High Commissioner noted the goals of the visit to Lebanon,  confirmed the readiness of the Government of the Republic of Armenia  to be close to Lebanon and to support the Armenian community. He also  noted that 1-2 damaged buildings will be restored with the help of  Armenia. Zareh Sinanyan also presented the steps taken by the state  towards repatriation, in particular, the initiative of the Law on  Repatriation and the creation of an Integration Center for  repatriates.

Then the members of the delegation visited the St. Gevorg Church and  the nearest medical center, and also talked with a representative of  the community, who suffered from the explosion.

Sinanyan also visited the Tekeyan Cultural Center in Lebanon. Then a  visit was organized to the AGBU office in Lebanon, where, under the  chairmanship of Gerard Tufenkjian a meeting was held with members of  the Charitable Organization. Zareh Sinanyan got acquainted with the  activities of the Lebanese branch of the pan-Armenian organization,  the work they carried out after the explosion. The AGBU office  assessed the needs of 400 Armenian families in Lebanon, on the basis  of which appropriate assistance should be provided.

Sinanyan noted that the Office of the Chief Commissioner is  effectively working with the AGBU, and also expressed readiness to  strengthen cooperation.