Photo: President Sam Simonian and the AGBU delegation with members of the AGBU Nicosia interim committee at the AGBU Center in Nicosia, Cyprus.
AGBU President Sam Simonian, accompanied by his wife Sylva, led an official delegation to Cyprus and Greece from February 19 to 23 as part of his ongoing global tour of Armenian diaspora communities.
The delegation included Vasken Yacoubian, Central Board member and President of AGBU Armenia, and Nazareth Festekjian, Treasurer of AGBU, as well as Chief Financial Officer Mark Gitlen and Middle East Regional Director Arine Ghazarian.
Nicosia and Larnaca Visit
In Cyprus, the delegation met with members of both the former and interim committees of the AGBU Nicosia Chapter, as well as representatives of the broader Armenian community. Discussions centered on assessing current needs, identifying opportunities, and charting a strategic path for AGBU’s continued presence and growth in Cyprus. President Simonian also paid a visit to the campus of the Melkonian Educational Institute (MEI), his father’s alma mater.
Official meetings included discussions with Vartkes Mahdessian, Member of the House of Representatives of Cyprus; Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus; and H.E. Inna Torgomyan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Cyprus. Conversations focused on the sustained vitality of the Armenian community in Cyprus and the value of closer collaboration between community, church, and state institutions.
The delegation also met with Davit Karapetyan, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia (MFA), in the presence of H.E. Inna Torgomyan at the Armenian Embassy in Nicosia.
A dinner in honor of the delegation, hosted by Benon Sevan, former AGBU Central Board Member and AGBU Representative in Cyprus, brought together approximately attendees from across the island’s Armenian organizations and institutions.
In his remarks, Simonian described how he grew up believing in the ideals of AGBU — an organization that supports Armenians regardless of background or persuasion and works with whichever Armenian government is in place: “Those principles became part of my foundation early in life. Now, we are thinking about how to revitalize this community — how to create something that will make Armenians here proud,” he added.
In a separate meeting, the Interim Committee of the AGBU Nicosia Chapter presented its vision for revitalizing the chapter amid recent challenges. Priorities included preserving Armenian identity in Cyprus, deepening youth engagement through cultural, professional, and sports programs, and strengthening ties with AGBU’s global network. Participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to institutional stability and a dynamic and productive future for AGBU Cyprus.
To close the delegation’s visit, the AGBU Larnaca Chapter — under the chairmanship of Roupen Kalayjian — hosted a farewell lunch and arranged a tour of the AGBU Armenian Cultural Center in Larnaca.
Athens Visit
President Simonian and the delegation continued their tour to Greece with an official visit to Athens, where they met with the local Armenian community and held discussions on strategic plans for the future of AGBU’s presence in Greece.
A cocktail reception hosted by AGBU Greece welcomed the delegation, bringing together community members and organizational representatives. The delegation met with the AGBU Greece committee, chaired by Aris Chatzatourian, and held an official meeting with Bishop Khoren Arakelyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Greece. The delegation also visited the AGBU Artaki Kalpakian Elementary School, reaffirming AGBU’s commitment to Armenian education and community life in Greece.
President Simonian’s global tour will continue in the months ahead.
The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the world’s largest non-profit organization devoted to uplifting the Armenian lives through educational, cultural, socio-economic and humanitarian programs. Each year, AGBU is committed to making a difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia and the Armenian diaspora. Since 1906, AGBU has remained true to one overarching goal: to create a foundation for the prosperity of all Armenians. To learn more visit www.agbu.org.
