LOS ANGELES, NOVEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. On 19 November President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan delivered a speech at the World Affairs Council of Orange County. After the speech the Head of the State answered questions raised by the attendees. Consular general of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles Grigor Hovhannisyan, head of the Central information department of the Artsakh Republic President’s Office Davit Babayan, NKR permanent representative to the USA Robert Avetisyan, chairman of the Artsakh Public TV and Radio company’s board Norek Gasparyan and other officials partook at the event. On the same day President Bako Sahakyan visited Los Angeles City Council, met its members at the head of the Council’s president Eric Garcetti. The Head of the State also partook at the City Council’s meeting and in his speech expressed gratitude to the authorities of Los Angeles for their stance towards our compatriots and assistance provided in solving issues the Armenian people face. The members of the City Council delivered speeches too. Welcoming the President of the Artsakh Republic they underlined the importance of independent, free and democratic Karabagh and its existence. According to them there are numerous similarities between the history and state building in Artsakh and the United States, which make better prospects for developing and deepening bilateral relations. Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martorosyan, consular general of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles Grigor Hovhannisyan, president of the United Armenian Fund, vice-president of the “Lincy” foundation Harout Sassounyan and other officials partook at the events. On 19 November President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan visited also residency of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church and met its primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderyan, members of the Diocesan Council and representatives of the local Armenian community. According to the Central Information Department of the Office of the Artsakh Republic President, the President considered important the construction of the new St. Leon Cathedral noting that the church was not only a masterpiece of Armenian architecture, but would also play a significant role in preserving national identity in the Diaspora. Issues related to socioeconomic situation in Artsakh and Motherland-Diaspora relations were touched upon during the meeting. Speaking about them Bako Sahakyan rated high the input of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in backing up Artsakh. Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martorosyan, consular general of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles Grigor Hovhannisyan, and other officials partook at the meeting.

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