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PRESS RELEASE
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: armecon@speakeasy.net
Web: http://www.armeniaemb.org

Ambassador Kirakossian Visits Ft. Lauderdale, Armenian Community in South Florida

Armenian Ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Arman Kirakossian visited Ft. Lauderdale, FL on
August 13-15 at the invitation of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister City International (SCI) organization and the
Armenian American community in the Southern Florida. The objectives of the visit
were to explore the possibility of establishing sister-city relations
between Ft. Lauderdale and Yerevan and commercial cooperation between South Florida
and the Republic of Armenia, as well as to meet with the local Armenian
American community.

On August 13, SCI held a reception honoring Ambassador Kirakossian, which
was attended by Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle, SCI Greater Ft. Lauderdale
Chairman Nuccia McCormick, representatives of city chamber of commerce
and business organizations, and the Armenian American political organizations. A
representative of the Florida Governor's office read a message from Governor
Jeb Bush. The Mayor of Ft Lauderdale presented the Ambassador with an
honorary key to the city.

During his meeting with the representatives of South Florida-based chambers
of commerce and business groups, Ambassador Kirakossian presented Armenia's
business environment and opportunities for doing business and making investments in Armenia.
It was agreed that a delegation of Armenian companies headed by the Mayor of Yerevan would visit Fort Lauderdale in
the spring of 2003 to establish closer commercial and economic cooperation
between the two regions, with a reciprocal visit by the South Florida
businessmen will follow. Ambassador Kirakossian also met with U.S.
Representative Clay Shaw and discussed U.S.-Armenian relations and
bilateral cooperation projects.

In connection with the Armenian Ambassador's visit, the Armenian National
Committee of Florida organized a community meeting at the St. David Armenian
Apostolic Church in Boca Raton, FL, with participation of several
Armenian-American political and cultural organizations as well as
individuals. The community meeting addressed the issues of Armenia-Diaspora
relations, political and economic developments in Armenia, and the prospects
for U.S.-Armenia bilateral cooperation.