YEREVAN, JANUARY 21, NOYAN TAPAN. A consultation with the participation of the RA minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobian, the director of the RF Foreign Ministry's Department for Work with Compatriots Living Abroad Alexander Chepurin and the Russian ambassador to Armenia Nikolay Pavlov took place at the RA Ministry of Diaspora on January 20. Ms. Hakobian said that the RA Ministry of Diaspora functions under the general direction of Armenian president and conducts executive power's state policy on promotion of Diaspora-Armenia relations. She presented the programs implemented by this newly-created ministry, as well as programs to be implemented in scientific, legal, organizational and financial spheres. A. Chepurin in his turn presented in detail Russia's policy with respect to compatriots living abroad. In particular, he said that a coordinating body - a governmental commission for issues of compatriots living abroad was set up in 1999. Its main goals are to support the compatriots who live in other countries, protect their rights and freedoms, and implement programs aimed at preserving and spreading the Russian language and literature. Besides, conferences of compatriots who live abroad are held every year, and congresses of compatriots with the participation of Russian president are organized every three years. NT was informed by the Press and PR Department of the Ministry of Diaspora that at the conclusion of the meeting the sides expressed their willingness to assist each other with implementation of programs, development of mutual links and examination of Diaspora-related problems.

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