Consul General Anna Avetisyan visited the city of Fresno. During the visit, Consul General was accompanied by Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Fresno, Berj Apkarian.
As part of her working visit, the Consul General visited University of California, Fresno/ Fresno State and met with Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Associate Professor, Coordinator of the Armenian Studies Program and Director of the Armenian Studies Center.
During the meeting, the opportunities for implementing joint projects involving Armenian Studies centers throughout California were discussed.
The Consul General paid tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide and laid a wreath at the Armenian Genocide Monument located in the Fresno State campus.
The Consul General also met with Jerry Dyer, Mayor of Fresno, Nathan Magsig, Member of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors (District 5), Krista Short Eychl, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce and Executive in Fund Development for Community Health System, Scott Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Cliff Long, Director of Economic Development for the City of Fresno and Eric Heden, Executive Director of the Water, Energy and Technology Center at the University of California, Fresno.
The participants discussed opportunities to expand sectoral cooperation envisioned under the Armenia–California Framework Agreement, with particular emphasis on deepening collaboration in agriculture, renewable energy, water resource conservation and management, as well as the importance of organizing reciprocal visits.
The interlocutors also highlighted the importance of active cooperation aimed at strengthening ties between the sister cities of Etchmiadzin and Fresno.
The Consul General attended an official reception dedicated to Republic Day, organized by Armenia’s Honorary Consul in Fresno, Berj Apkarian. The event was attended by members of the U.S. House of Representatives, California state legislators, representatives of the judiciary, and members of the Armenian community of Fresno.
In her remarks, the Consul General noted that May 28 carries great historical and symbolic significance, emphasizing the responsibility of every Armenian in preserving and strengthening statehood and in building a peaceful and prosperous country.
At the conclusion of the visit, the Consul General visited the William Saroyan House-Museum and became acquainted with the museum’s innovative solutions, which use virtual reality technologies to present the life and works of William Saroyan.
