YEREVAN, 27 MAY, NOYAN TAPAN: On May 26, the delegation of the RA Ministry of Diaspora led by Minister Hranush Hakobyan left for Italy within the framework of the Academy of Educational Development’s “Development of Human and Institutional Potential” program and with support from the US Agency for International Development. According to a press release by the department of media and public relations of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, the purpose of the visit is to study the experience of the General Council for Italians Abroad, which was established in Italy in 1989 and effectively apply that experience in forming and governing the to be created pan-Armenian advisory body, that is, the National Council, as well as selecting ways and methods for legislation and activities. The delegation’s visit is organized by the RA Embassy in Italy. On the same day, the delegation visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic and met CGIE General Secretary Andrea Amauro and Executive Secretary Stefano Verrecchia. They thoroughly presented the CGIE’s history, goals and objectives, structure and activities, the projects that have been implemented and answered the Armenian delegation’s questions. Mrs. Hranush Hakobyan made a congratulatory speech in the end. In the evening the delegation visited the Armenian Catholic Church of Rome and Levonian Seminary. At the hall of the seminary the Minister of Diaspora met representatives of the Armenian community in Rome. The representatives of the communities of the Catholic and Armenian Apostolic Churches gave welcoming remarks. Mrs. Hakobyan introduced the Ministry’s activities and projects under implementation and asked that the representatives show active participation in the Ministry’s projects. The Minister also responded to the questions raised by the community representatives. The delegation also visited Maloyan Cultural Center where Mrs. Hakobyan left a note in the center’s registry. The delegation also had a meeting with Head of the Armenian Studies Center at Ca Foscari University of Venice, Father Levon Jekiyan and Head of the Department of Armenian Studies at the University of Bologna Anna Shirinian.

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