The impact of diaspora and dual citizenship policy on the statecraft process in the Republic of Armenia

Abstract

My interest predates the economic, political and cultural importance of Armenian Diaspora and the influence of such Diaspora on the statecraft process of the Republic of Armenia after independence. Since Diaspora communities are linked to their homeland and continue to be engaged with their fates and futures, they persist for long stretches of time. In addition, it is obvious nowadays that no one can ignore those entities and their various roles. Initially my attention was drawn to this phenomenon after the national referendum on constitutional amendments of November 25, 2005 and further amendments on February 6, 2007 on the law of citizenship that abandoned the limitation on the Dual Citizenship. My acquaintance with the relationship between Armenia and its Diaspora became more intimate when I, as a Diaspora member residing in Armenia, participated to the third Armenia-Diaspora Conference on September 18-20, 2006. This conference mainly focused on how the Diaspora-homeland relations have evolved; the application of culture and identity to Armenian Diaspora and to Armenia; what direction can be given to future cultural and socio-economic relations between homeland and Diaspora; political opportunities for Diaspora as non-state actors and experiences of emigration and repatriation. I was also inspired with the Armenian International Policy Research Group International Conference entitled “Dual Citizenship: Alternative Arrangements, Economic Implications and Social Dimensions” held on June 17-18 in Yerevan, Armenia. This conference gathered the issues relevant for Dual Citizenship, including its impact on Armenia and Diaspora. This paper examines the role and the contributions of Armenian Diaspora on the economic, political and socio-cultural life of Armenia. It examines the impact of Diaspora and Dual Citizenship policy on the statecraft process in the Republic of Armenia after independence. The paper offers a new approach to debate on dual citizenship within the context of Armenian’s unique status as a relatively small state with a large and influential Diaspora. It examines how adaptation of Dual Citizenship will enhance the impact of the contribution.