September 25, 2008

Heritage MP Takes Part in Meeting of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation

Alexandroupolis, Greece—Secretary Stepan Safarian of the Heritage Party’s parliamentary faction attended, from September 24 to 25, in the 32nd session of the Cultural, Social, and Healthcare Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC). To note, Safarian is a member in this committee since 2007. The event, which was held in the Greek town of Alexandroupolis, was called to discuss and vote on the report, entitled “The Impact of Globalization on the Social Policy of the Countries Members in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSCE),” in order to approve it for examination during the general assembly to be convened in Chişinău, Moldova, in November.

During the exchange of views, Stepan Safarian delivered an intervention on globalization’s positive and adverse effects on the social situation in Armenia. Since unrestricted movement—as a result of globalization—has increased the emigration of manpower, the speaker emphasized the aspect of migration. “Today, hundreds of thousands of Armenian citizens are emigrating to BSEC-member countries—and specifically to Russia, Ukraine and Turkey—for employment. Some of them move abroad legally, whereas others, illegally and therefore they are less protected in those countries.” Safarian noted. In his view, the BSEC is the very platform where these issues need to be raised and resolved. “Many of our countries are the donors, whereas the others are the recipients of labor force. Sadly, Armenia does not even have diplomatic relations with Turkey, which is one of those recipient countries, and thus it is impossible to give an accurate account of the work migrants there. And under such conditions it is out of the question to speak about the protection of the rights of those citizens of Armenia.”  Stepan Safarian also maintained that solely the people themselves can neutralize or reduce the adverse consequences of globalization and that a mere criticism of globalization will be unjustified because globalization provides great and positive opportunities as well.

In addition, Stepan Safarian and numerous other speakers also underscored the need, within the globalization process, to preserve and enrich the national and civilizational identities.