MOSCOW, OCTOBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. A group of famous Diaspora Armenian figures issued a statement, in which they defend the Armenian authorities' policy on Armenian-Turkish relations. "The soccer diplomacy initiated by the President of Armenia opened a door of opportunities for the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey, which received attention and support of the whole international community," is said in the statement. According to it, this process does not mean that it is necessary to forget the past and call into question the Armenian Genocide and the importance of its recognition. The statement authors note that "being guided by a strong sense of responsibility for the future of homeland and next generations, the Armenian leadership today is acting wisely and boldly for the establishment of bilateral relations and the opening of borders without any preconditions". "We express our support for the policy of the Armenian authorities and we call on all our compatriots in Armenia and the Diaspora to provide all possible assistance to this process," the statement reads. As www.miasin.ru reported, the statement was signed by world-famous French Armenian singer Charles Aznavour, legendary polar explorer Arthur Chilingarov, Argentinian Armenian businessman Eduardo Eurnekian, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) Hrayr Hovnanian, French Armenian painter Jasmine, popular actor Armen Jigarkhanian, British Armenian businessman Vatche Manukian, AGBU President Berg Setrakian, former Chairman of Alcatel Company Serge Tchuruk, Chairman of the Union of French Cinematographers Alene Terzian, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Troyka Dialog Group Ruben Vardanian.

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