Women representing Armenia in different countries

            We are often proud of the fact that the first female ambassador in the world was the Ambassador of the First Republic of Armenia to Japan, Diana Abgar. Today, a hundred years later, we are far from setting an example in this matter. Only five women ambassadors represent Armenia in other countries.

A few days ago Tsovinar Hambardzumyan was sent to the Italian capital, Rome as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. The President of the Republic Armen Sargsyan signed the decree on June 1^st. Tsovinar Hambardzumyan replaces Victoria Baghdasaryan in that position.

From the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Italy and Malta V. Baghsarayan was called back in April of this year. She has been representing Armenia’s interests in those European countries since 2016. According to the information published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the current Ambassador Tsovinar Hambardzumyan was born in 1971. She was born on July 5^th, in Yerevan. Prior to the appointment, in 2002-2018 she worked in the Foreign Relations Department of the Office of the President of the Republic of Armenia, first as a Chief Specialist, Consultant, then Head of the Department, 2018-2020,  Head of the Foreign Relations Department of the RA Prime Minister’s Office. She has one daughter.

According to the 2019 Diplomatic Bulletin, Armenia has accredited embassies in 96 foreign countries, representatives in 22 international organizations, and consulates in ten cities in different countries. According to Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anna Naghdalyan, at the moment Armenia has 42 ambassadors in different countries, 6 consuls general. Several places are currently vacant. Women represent Armenia in five countries: Canada, Indonesia, Argentina, Italy and France.

Thus, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Argentina Esthera Mkrtumyan has been also appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Uruguay, Chile, Peru and Paraguay. She was sent to Latin American countries in 2017.

Dzyunik Aghajanyan, who has long-term diplomatic experience, represents Armenia’s interests in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Prior to that, she was the RA Ambassador to the Netherlands, replacing Ambassador Anna Aghajanyan in these countries.

Anahit Harutyunyan was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Canada in 2019. Prior to that, she was the Chargé d’Affaires of the United Nations and other international organizations, as well as the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Switzerland.

Hasmik Tolmajyan represents the interests of our country in France, which has deep relations with Armenia. She was appointed ambassador in 2018. Before that, in 2014-2018 she has been the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Switzerland, the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations Office in Geneva.