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PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
AGBU, Inside Europe & Euro-Bulgarian Cultural Center Host Third
"Diaspora Inside Europe" Conference Held in Sofia
AGBU Young Professionals of Sofia and the Euro-Bulgarian Cultural Center
(EBCC) hosted a roundtable on the "Diaspora Inside Europe" on June 23,
2007 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The event was part of a series of roundtables
co-organized throughout Europe by AGBU YP groups and the organization
"Inside Europe" led by Nicolas Tavitian.
The Sofia conference featured distinguished speakers and participants,
who had the opportunity to share ideas and discuss the implications of
EU membership for Armenian communities in member countries. The speakers
at the roundtable included Nikolai Mladenov, recently elected Member of
the European Parliament (MEP), Nicholas Tavitian, Director of Inside
Europe, and Mert Ersin, Director of Euromed Consulting.
The participants included the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to
Bulgaria, Sergei Manassarian; the Armenian Embassy Counsel Igor
Mardirossian; Aghavni Topakbashian, Head of the Ethnic Identity,
Integration and Demographic Development Department; Edi Emiryan, Head of
the PR Department with the Council of Ministers; Darina Kadunkova,
Development Coordinator with the European Institute in Sofia; Ema
Azarian, Repertory Director with the National Palace of Culture; 15
Young Professionals from the local YP committee and honorary hosts Sonia
Avakian-Bedrosian, Chairwoman of AGBU Sofia, and Onik Karapchian, EBCC
Director.
The three panel discussions focused on the significance of the Armenian
Diaspora and the development of the European Union. Mladenov’s thesis
was to put to use the ready Armenian Diaspora network that can help
foster unity despite diversity (the EU’s motto is "United in
Diversity"). He made a strong reference to the Armenian Question by
raising the issue of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey,
as well as the financial compensations it is liable to make. The Sofia
conference was the first public event attended by Mladenov as a Member
of the European Parliament.
Nicholas Tavitian’s panel theme was about engaging, educating and
involving the EU institutions in the Armenian Diaspora’s public life.
The discussion gravitated around what it means to be a European citizen
and the different perceptions in the old and new member countries.
Tavitian also suggested several ways in which a community can relate and
interact with institutions and highlighted the major considerations in
applying for and working with EU funds.
The third speaker, Mert Ersin, talked about ways to reconcile Turkish
and Armenian relations. Ersin, a European of Turkish descent, showed
profound understanding of the problem and freely talked about the
obstacles to Genocide recognition in Turkey, such as state policy,
misperceptions and lack of education about the topic. While
demonstrating an in-depth understanding of the barriers, Ersin also
shared his vision for reconciliation and peaceful coexistence in a
larger Europe.
In conclusion, the participants agreed on a follow-up statement to be
issued to EU institutions, declaring the willingness of the citizens of
Europe with Armenian and Turkish origin to strengthen the dialogue
between their communities and to support the Europeanization process of
Turkey and Armenia.
The conference was concluded by a small cocktail reception, during which
participants could network and share thoughts and impressions.
For more information on AGBU and its worldwide chapters, please visit
For more information about Inside Europe, please visit
www.agbu.org
www.agbu.org.
www.insideeurope.org.