Zareh Sinanyan Meets with Georgian Officials

During a working visit to Georgia, the Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan met with Lasha Darsalia, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. Armenian Ambassador to Georgia Ruben Sadoyan was also present at the meeting, as informed by the office of the Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs.

The importance of Armenian-Georgian friendly relations and prospects for development were emphasized by both parties. Zareh Sinanyan noted that his office values the preservation of identity and the full integration of the Armenian population into various aspects of public life in Georgia, as well as the enhancement of public activity levels. At the end of the meeting, potential avenues for cooperation were discussed.

The next meeting was with Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, the Minister of State for Reconciliation and Civic Equality. The minister presented the strategy and priorities of the Georgian government regarding civil integration, as well as ongoing projects and commitments. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili remarked that significant progress has been made in involving national minorities in various public sectors.

She pointed out that the close relations between Armenians and Georgians are not only geographically conditioned but also enriched by numerous historical and cultural features, stressing that Armenians and Georgians live together peacefully on the same land. According to the minister, it is important for the Georgian government to support the full integration of other nationalities as well as the preservation of national identity.

In this context, the continuity of ethnic language education and the improvement of proficiency in the state language were especially highlighted. The minister emphasized that the Armenian-language media operating in Georgia significantly contributes to the preservation of the national language among the Armenian community.

Expressing gratitude for the reception, Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan noted that the Armenian community in Georgia is unique and distinguished by its historical trajectory compared to other communities. The Commissioner underscored that full engagement of Armenians in the societies of their host countries and various domains of public life is essential, while also preserving Armenian identity and culture. Zareh Sinanyan also presented the activities and programs of his office in the context of Armenia-Diaspora collaboration.

During the meeting, mutually relevant issues were discussed, and a readiness was expressed to continue cooperation in the future.

Subsequently, Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan visited the 104th public Armenian school in Tbilisi. The school principal, Irina Jamkochyan, presented the school’s activities and daily life. Students welcomed the guests with a beautiful performance, singing, and dancing.

Zareh Sinanyan met with the teaching staff, during which existing educational issues were discussed, and the importance of teacher training and the possibilities of regular visits of students to Armenia were emphasized.

Afterward, the Commissioner visited the editorial office of the newspaper “Georgia.” The editor, Van Baiburtian, presented the activities of the newspaper, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year. Zareh Sinanyan highly appreciated the mission and work of the newspaper.

The Commissioner’s next visit was to a Georgian school with an Armenian department, where he toured the premises in the company of the school principal Archil Tskheidze and the head of the Armenian department, Hasmik Papikyan. During the visit, issues related to the education sector, the potential for increasing Armenian language classes, and the involvement of teachers were discussed.