Sinanyan: no abandonment of Ararat, emphasis on loving Aragats

PanARMENIAN.Net - Zareh Sinanyan, the Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, disagrees with the observation that the Armenian government, in its latest concept, has renounced Mount Ararat and claims to Western Armenia.

"There has been no assertion of abandoning Ararat; the discussion was about also loving Aragats," Sinanyan noted, reports Aysor.am.

According to him, many in the diaspora see Ararat only through pictures hanging on walls, while he sees it every day.

"It's before our eyes daily, and it evokes a whole storm of emotions in our souls and hearts. Nevertheless, we continue to live here in the reality that exists. Loving Mount Aragats is not a bad idea either. It's a very good idea, a historic mountain that, fortunately, is located within the territory of the Republic of Armenia," he said.

Addressing concerns about removing the issue of genocide from the state agenda, Sinanyan mentioned that many diaspora communities were largely formed as a result of the Armenian Genocide, which is why this issue holds special significance for them.

He added that in his interactions, he tries to find common ground with diaspora representatives, emphasizing that the genocide is an undeniable fact; no one has denied it and no one can deny it.

"Recognition of the genocide is also important, but it should be targeted. That is, with limited capabilities and leverage abroad, what outcome do we want to achieve as a result of the genocide recognition process? If it's merely our moral victory, we've already achieved that moral victory, and the Western world, in a broad sense, has already recognized the genocide. The question arises: and then what? This question has always existed," he noted.

The Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs observed that, on the other hand, the issue of land restitution is also raised.

"But here, too, a question arises. Frankly, for 25-26 years, we had Artsakh, which was under the control of the Armenian people. Come and see, no one from the diaspora came and settled there as Armenian liberated territories.

Now, let's talk about those lands—for what purpose? How many people, like me, have come and lived in the Republic of Armenia after spending most of their lives abroad, or will go and live in those lands?

Our message is: let's set realistic goals to improve the fate of our nation. Such a goal could be the security of the Republic of Armenia, for those who continue to live on a part of their historical homeland," Sinanyan said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, during a meeting with the Armenian community in Switzerland, referring to the Armenian Genocide, said that we need to understand "what happened and why." Later, at a press conference, he stated that the fact of the Armenian Genocide is indisputable and undeniable. He also recalled that denial, renunciation, or refutation of the Armenian Genocide is a criminal offense in the Republic of Armenia.