President Serzh Sargsyan called on one of the earliest Armenian diasporas in the world to “cast their views back to Armenia” as he visited an Armenian community in the extreme south of Ukraine earlier this week.

Along with His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians, and several government members Sargsyan on Tuesday attended in the Crimea the celebrations of the 650th anniversary of the foundation of the Armenian Holy Cross (Surb Khach) Church that has undergone major renovations due to the efforts of local Armenians and assistance from Ukrainian authorities.

“The Republic of Armenia bears certain responsibility before the Armenian community. And Armenia in its turn needs you, we want you to keep your views focused on Armenia, we assure you that each of you have a place and things to do in Armenia. You have a home in Armenia,” Sargsyan said addressing Crimean Armenians, as quoted by his press service.

Some of the 30,000-strong Armenian community in the Crimea say they can trace their ancestry to the re-settlers from Ani who fled the old Armenian capital after a Turkish invasion in the 11th century.

In the Crimea Sargsyan repeated his appeal to the worldwide Armenian Diaspora made at an all-Armenian youth assembly earlier this month to join hands with compatriots in Armenia in building up the country.

As part of the visit to the Crimea, President Sargsyan and Catholicos Karekin II on July 28 visited Saint Hripsime Church in Yalta and met with numerous Armenians from all over the Crimea.

“We have come to share our joy with you, we have come to say that you have a home, we have come to say that we will help and support you in every issue,” Sargsyan said.

As part of his visit Sargsyan also met with his Ukrainian counterpart Victor Yuschenko. Both presidents agreed on an Armenian-Ukrainian business forum to be held in the future.

During the meeting with Sargsyan, President Yuschenko emphasized the special contribution of the country’s Armenian community in the development and strengthening of friendly relations between Armenia and Ukraine. He also repeated his invitation to Sargsyan to pay an official visit to Ukraine later this year.