Video: Armenian Ambassador to the US Discusses the Situation of the Local Armenian Community

On April 2, Armenian Ambassador to the United States Varuzhan Nersesyan gave an interview to the "Voice of America" news agency. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. Ambassador Nersesyan spoke about the operations of the Armenian embassy in the US amid the spread of the new coronavirus, the challenges faced by Armenian citizens in the US, particularly students, and presented the situation within the Armenian community in the US.

The ambassador also addressed cooperation with the US in combating the further spread of COVID-19. Regarding the efforts made by the embassy to resolve the issues faced by Armenian citizens in this situation, Ambassador Nersesyan stated: "Since the outbreak of the pandemic, we have comprehensively supported our citizens. Initially, both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Armenian embassy in the US called on citizens to voluntarily register and enroll in our consular services so that we could immediately contact our citizens and provide them with the necessary support. Unfortunately, not everyone registered during this time. However, for those who registered and contacted us, we have immediately assisted them within our functional capabilities and limitations. In particular, during this period, we organized the return of 15 Armenian students studying at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, as well as a group of Armenian students from Iowa back to Armenia. The same applies to many other citizens. For those who called and got in touch with us, we were able to provide necessary advice and consular support.”

Ambassador Nersesyan also addressed the issue of Armenian students still in the US: “We have been able to provide comprehensive support to our students, both through our own efforts and with the help of the local community. Currently, we are in contact with 24 students located in different states. You know that all flights that could have returned to Armenia with one or two stops have already been suspended. The consular officer is in constant contact with everyone whose data has been registered at the embassy on a 24-hour basis, registering all their problems. At this moment, most of the students are on campus and are still benefiting from their scholarships. We are trying to promptly address all their issues and provide support. Additionally, 37 students are in different states under the Flex program organized by the State Department. During consultations with the program organizers and the American side, it was emphasized that it is safer for them to continue to stay in the US – with the families they are with – than to return to Armenia. Therefore, we are in constant contact with everyone, and in case of any issues arising, we are trying to address them immediately on-site as much as possible.”

Touching upon Armenian-American cooperation, Varuzhan Nersesyan noted specifically: “From the very beginning of this situation, we have been in constant contact with the competent authorities in the US, consultations have been held periodically, and information has been exchanged, and the American side announced a few days ago about the assistance of $1.1 million to Armenia, for which we are, of course, very grateful to the American authorities.”

The Armenian ambassador to the US also described the current situation in the Armenian community: “Our focus is on Armenian citizens and the Armenian-American community. I am in regular contact with the leaders of the Armenian Apostolic Church dioceses on the East Coast, as well as with the leaders of all major Armenian organizations and political parties, and we regularly exchange information. Unfortunately, communities with a high concentration of Armenians are located both on the East and West Coasts, precisely in the states that have been hit hardest by the coronavirus, namely California and New York. At this moment, only one death has been reported in California. We are regularly receiving information from various organizations in our community and are trying to understand what the situation is in Armenian communities.”