At a press conference - reception on Tuesday, September 16, Minister Oskanian introduced Hamlet Gasparian, who has been appointed head of the Ministry's Press and Information Department, and Ministry spokesperson. At the same conference, the Minister thanked the former spokesperson, Dziunik Aghajanian, for a job well done, and announced that she will be moving on to a position at Armenia's Permanent Mission to the UN, as Minister-Counselor.

The Minister expressed satisfaction at the productive and effective relationship between the ministry and the media, and said he was hopeful that this relationship would continue and deepen in order to benefit Armenia's foreign policy activities, as well as to better inform Armenian society. Ms. Aghajanian said she appreciated the opportunity to work with the Minister and with the press.

Hamlet Gasparian accepted the responsibility and stated his intention to maintain clear, open channels with representatives of the media in order to facilitate everyone's work.

He is a graduate of Yerevan State University. He has experience in publishing and with the press. Since the beginning of 1991, he was part of the founding editorial group of Azg Daily, and its Managing Editor. In the spring of 1995, he joined the Foreign Ministry. From 1995 to 1996, he served in Armenia's Embassy in France, as First Secretary. From 1996 to 1997, he worked within the MFA's European Department. From 1997 to 1998, he headed Armenia's Public Television. In 1998, he returned to the MFA, and from 1999 to 2002, worked in the Embassy in France as Advisor. Since August 2002, he has served as Advisor within the MFA's Political Planning Department. He is married, and has three children