PRESS RELEASE
October 21, 2005

Eastern Diocese, FAR host Welcoming Reception for Ambassador Tatoul Markarian

On October 11, 2005, the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Fund for Armenian Relief hosted a reception to welcome Ambassador Tatoul Markarian. Representatives of major Armenian-American organizations and community activists attended the reception. Primate of the Eastern Diocese Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Armenia 's Permanent Representative to the UN Armen Martirossian, and Secretary of the FAR Board of Directors Randy Sapah-Gulian made welcoming remarks, wishing Ambassador Markarian success in his new position.

Ambassador Markarian presented Armenia 's progress since independence and the current developments in Armenia . The Ambassador stressed that U.S.-Armenian relations are strong and outlined his vision for further expanding them by also engaging the untapped potential in Homeland-Diaspora cooperation.

The Ambassador thanked the Eastern Diocese and Fund for Armenian Relief for hosting the reception. In thanking the FAR and other Armenian-American organizations which have provided significant assistance to Armenia since independence, Ambassador Markarian highlighted the political importance of this support. He noted his appreciation of the important role of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America in not only preserving the Armenian identity and legacy in the United States but also supporting the Republic of Armenia and its diplomatic offices in the United States.