AMBASSADOR MARKARIAN TO HOST DINNER AT ARMENIAN EMBASSY FOR ARMENIAN CAUSE 2.0

Deadline fast approaching for Innovative Washington DC Conference

May 18, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC – His Excellency Tatoul Markarian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the United States of America, will host a special dinner reception on the evening of Saturday, June 25th at the Armenian Embassy for participants in “Armenian Cause 2.0,” the Armenian National Committee of America’s (ANCA) leadership conference in Washington, DC.

“We are honored that Ambassador Markarian has agreed to host community leaders and activists from around the country for dinner at the Armenian Embassy,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “A visit to the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia and the opportunity to meet Armenia’s Ambassador holds great personal meaning for all Armenian Americans, all the more so when it’s part of a weekend devoted to developing new and powerful ways to support Armenia, defend Artsakh, and advance the Armenian Cause.”

The Armenian Embassy dinner reception will be part of an array of insider presentations, interactive and hands-on training sessions, and visits to Capitol Hill, planned for Armenian Cause 2.0: Social Networks, Grassroots Power and Smart Advocacy, organized by the ANCA and ANCA Endowment Fund, Inc. The Washington, DC conference will be held June 24-27th at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel.

The weekend’s educational schedule will be complemented by social and networking programming (all included in the registration fee) that features:

— A welcoming reception with a skyline view of the White House and the monuments on the Washington Mall, generously hosted by the Aramian Family Fund.

— A private guided tour and “Tea on the Terrace” garden reception in the home of President Woodrow Wilson, the signer of the Arbitral Award, and the location of the famous Armenian painting, L’Esperance.

— A group visit and photo on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, overlooking the reflecting pool, the Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol.

— An evening cruise past the monuments along the Potomac River, with drinks and food.

Register for the conference by May 27th and take advantage of the special ANCA hotel rate of $149/night plus tax.

Ambassador Markarian: Representing Armenia in the Nation’s Capital

Ambassador Tatoul Markarian has represented Armenia in the United States since 2005. Prior to his service as Ambassador, he held, since 2000, the position of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. In that capacity, his responsibilities included the Ministry’s Departments of Politico-Military Affairs; International Organizations; CIS Countries; and Asia-Pacific and Africa. He was also the Armenian coordinator for the U.S.-Armenia Strategic Dialogue as well as the NATO-Armenia Political-Military Dialogue. In 2002-2003, Ambassador Markarian was also Special Representative of the President of Armenia for Nagorno Karabakh negotiations. Between 1999 and 2000, he served as Advisor to the Foreign Minister. His previous diplomatic assignments have included a term as Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister-Counselor at the Armenian Embassy in Washington, DC from 1994 to 1999.

Before joining the Armenian Foreign Service, Ambassador Markarian served in newly- independent Armenia’s legislative and executive branches. He was Assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Armenian Parliament from 1990 to 1991, and Assistant and then Adviser to the Vice President of Armenia from 1991 to 1994, also serving as Acting Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Armenia from 1991 to 1992.

Ambassador Markarian was born on April 1964, in Armenia. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the School of Advanced International Studies at the Johns Hopkins University, and a PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He graduated from the Yerevan University of National Economy in 1985, and completed a PhD in Economics at the same University in 1989. In addition to his native Armenian, Ambassador Markarian is fluent in English and Russian. He is married and has two sons.

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