Fresno Names First Armenian Honorary Consul

FRESNO NAMES FIRST ARMENIAN HONORARY CONSUL

15:03 * 20.10.14

Fresno is now home to the country’s first Honorary Consul of the
Republic of Armenia.

Armenian dignitaries and Fresno County representatives are hosting
an inaugural ceremony for the new consul on Monday on the 8th floor
of the Pacific Southwest Building, The Fresno Bee reports.

Berj Apkarian, executive director of physician relations at Community
Medical Centers, was appointed honorary consul during a county Board
of Supervisors meeting last month. He immigrated to Fresno from Syria
in 1979.

Apkarian said the voluntary appointment is an honor and a privilege.

For his first big project as consul, Apkarian said he wants to take a
team of medical and dental professionals to Armenia next October to
host a medical education conference and provide free care for needy
people in rural communities.

“In addition to the project itself, my goal is to establish a closer
tie between the central San Joaquin Valley and Armenian commerce,
(culture, medicine) — all aspects of bringing two nations and
communities closer,” he said.

Fresno has one other honorary consul — Ed Fanucchi, of Italy — and
one official consul –Vicente Sanchez Ventura of Mexico. Armenians
around the country currently get visas, citizenship documents and other
diplomatic services through the Armenian Consulate in Los Angeles.

“Given the size of our community, that’s just not representative,”
said Fresno County Board of Supervisors Chairman Andreas Borgeas.

Now, those services will be available in Fresno.

Armenian News – Tert.am

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress