Cooperation between Armenia and the diaspora should extend beyond financial support to include business, technology and the exchange of professional expertise. Armenia today offers many opportunities that diaspora Armenians are often insufficiently aware of.

Petros Asturyan, a Diaspora Youth Ambassador from France, made these remarks while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Third Global Armenian Summit, stressing the importance of changing perceptions of Armenia within the diaspora.

“There is a need to change perceptions of Armenia today. When diaspora Armenians talk about Armenia, they often still picture the country of the past 30–35 years, which needed financial support from the diaspora. But Armenia is no longer the same today. There are many people here with substantial financial resources. We need to work to ensure that diaspora Armenians understand that Armenia offers many opportunities, including in business and technology,” Asturyan said.

He said many Armenian professionals living in France and other countries work with international companies and markets, but often do not realise that they can also apply their professional knowledge and experience in Armenia.

“We have diaspora Armenian professionals who work with France, Arab countries, India and other countries. They are Armenian, but sometimes they simply do not know that they can also establish business ties with Armenia. We need programmes that will help them discover these opportunities,” he stressed.

In this context, Asturyan highlighted the importance of programmes run by the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, including the Diaspora Youth Ambassador and iGorts initiatives.

He believes such programmes need to be expanded so that diaspora Armenians, particularly those who have never visited Armenia, can see the country’s infrastructure, business environment and technological potential first-hand.

“It is important for diaspora Armenians to come to Armenia and see what infrastructure exists, what companies operate here, who works here and what they do. They will then understand that they can not only support Armenia but also work, set up businesses and earn an income,” the Diaspora Youth Ambassador said.

Speaking about his own experience, Asturyan said he founded a company providing information technology services in Armenia in 2024.

“When I came to Armenia in 2024 to set up a company, I knew almost no one here. I came alone and had to handle the paperwork, find lawyers and organise the entire process. But we managed to establish the company. My experience shows that members of our diaspora community can also set up similar businesses in Armenia,” he said.

He said the Armenian community in France includes many highly skilled IT professionals who can use their knowledge and connections to establish new companies in Armenia or work with existing Armenian companies.

“We have very capable and intelligent IT professionals in the Armenian community in Paris. If they decide to become entrepreneurs and come to Armenia, there is a great deal they can do here. There are also Armenians who work for major French companies and hold senior positions. They, too, can help those companies establish cooperation with Armenia,” Asturyan said.

He cited the software sector as an example, noting that French companies looking for new developers or technological solutions could also consider the Armenian market.

Speaking about the significance of the Third Global Armenian Summit, Asturyan highlighted the opportunity for Armenians from different countries to connect in person and establish new partnerships.

“For me, the Global Armenian Summit is a very important initiative. It gives Armenians living in the diaspora an opportunity to come to Armenia, see what is happening here and learn about the work of other Armenians living in different countries around the world,” he said.

Asturyan said the summit’s importance extends beyond formal speeches and discussions. Direct interaction between participants is no less significant, as it can give rise to new ideas and joint projects.

Concluding his remarks, the Diaspora Youth Ambassador stressed that developing pan-Armenian cooperation requires more platforms where Armenians living in different countries can get to know one another, exchange experience and build business ties.

“It is important for all Armenians around the world to communicate with one another. We do not often have such opportunities, and it is very good that the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs is working to implement programmes like these,” Petros Asturyan concluded.