Newsletter No 17

Armenian National Committee UK wishes you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Armenian Security and Artsakh

We have successfully advocated to raise awareness of the security and humanitarian issues concerning Armenia and Artsakh by sending regular briefings to parliamentarians and the Foreign and Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Consequently, several MPs and House of Lords Peers have either sent letters or asked questions from the FCDO. We have met with the Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas, Wendy Morton, communicated problems facing Armenia and   have sent letters to the urging action from the UK government. We believe that to achieve lasting peace and prosperity in the region Artsakh’s self-determination rights must be respected.

All party Parliamentary Group for Armenia

We have had regular meetings with the group members and have been able to grow the number of group members. We successfully held our AGM and elected the officers. With the leadership of Tim Loughton, the Chairman of the APPG more parliamentarians have been made aware problems facing Armenia. We wrapped up the year with an Armenian wine and brandy tasting event in the Parliament. We were delighted that the newly appointed Armenian Ambassador Varuzhan Nersesyan was present and addressed the AGM and the event.

Recognition of the Armenian Genocide

For the first time in the UK a Private Member’s Bill was presented in the House of Commons in November by Tim Loughton MP. The bill was heard as a Ten Minute Rule Motion without objections. The bill was cosponsored by 14 MPs from all six political parties and was truly a cross party effort.

We have prepared and sent regular newsletters to our supporters to update them on our advocacy and asked them to write to their MP.
We want to thank everyone for their support and hope we will have an even stronger impact and grow the number of our supporters.