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One of the most interesting things about the article is the claim that "only one fifth of Diasporan Armenians" that had applied for Armenian citizenship, recieved it. I thought Diasporans were basically "guaranteed" citizenship. I am curious as to why Armenia is so strict with letting Diasporans become citizens?
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Aznavour Granted Armenian Citizenship
Published: Friday December 26, 2008
YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--President Serzh Sarkisian has granted Armenian citizenship to Charles Aznavour, a prominent French singer of Armenian descent, his office said on Friday.
In a short statement announcing it, Sarkisian's office did not specify if Aznavour himself applied for an Armenian passport.
Aznavour already received Armenia's highest state award, the title of “national hero,” in 2004 in recognition of his long-standing support for the country of his ancestors. Then President Robert Kocharian also praised him for “presenting Armenia to the world.”
Aznavour, 84, is one of the most renowned members of France's influential Armenian community. He was at the forefront of the community's efforts to help victims of the catastrophic 1988 earthquake that devastated much of northern Armenia.
Aznavour has regularly visited Armenia since its independence. He developed a close personal rapport with Kocharian during the latter's presidency. A square in downtown Yerevan was named after Aznavour in 2001.
Sarkisian's decree was made possible by the abolition in late 2005 of a constitutional ban on dual citizenship in Armenia. According to the Armenian police, nearly one thousand foreign nationals, most of them Diaspora Armenians, applied for Armenian citizenship and only about one fifth of them received it as of last May.
Dual citizenship applications have to be seconded by the police and a special presidential commission headed by Justice Minister Gevorg Danielian before they can be considered by the president of the republic, who has the exclusive authority to approve or reject them.
source: Asbarez
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Aznavour Granted Armenian Citizenship
Published: Friday December 26, 2008
YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--President Serzh Sarkisian has granted Armenian citizenship to Charles Aznavour, a prominent French singer of Armenian descent, his office said on Friday.
In a short statement announcing it, Sarkisian's office did not specify if Aznavour himself applied for an Armenian passport.
Aznavour already received Armenia's highest state award, the title of “national hero,” in 2004 in recognition of his long-standing support for the country of his ancestors. Then President Robert Kocharian also praised him for “presenting Armenia to the world.”
Aznavour, 84, is one of the most renowned members of France's influential Armenian community. He was at the forefront of the community's efforts to help victims of the catastrophic 1988 earthquake that devastated much of northern Armenia.
Aznavour has regularly visited Armenia since its independence. He developed a close personal rapport with Kocharian during the latter's presidency. A square in downtown Yerevan was named after Aznavour in 2001.
Sarkisian's decree was made possible by the abolition in late 2005 of a constitutional ban on dual citizenship in Armenia. According to the Armenian police, nearly one thousand foreign nationals, most of them Diaspora Armenians, applied for Armenian citizenship and only about one fifth of them received it as of last May.
Dual citizenship applications have to be seconded by the police and a special presidential commission headed by Justice Minister Gevorg Danielian before they can be considered by the president of the republic, who has the exclusive authority to approve or reject them.
source: Asbarez
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