The Armenian National Committee of America, Western Region met with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and his exceptional staff to thank them for their phenomenal work their first 100 days in office and to discuss issues of mutual concern. This is the first of many regular meetings that will take place to maintain the strong standing relationship that Mayor Garcetti has had with the Armenian American community and the ANCA.

ANCA-WR Chairwoman, Nora Hovsepian opened the meeting by congratulating Mayor Garcetti on a strong and successful beginning to his newest position of public service.  She emphasized the importance of keeping clear lines of communication open with the Armenian American community and mentioned that the ANCA-WR looks forward to partnering with the City of Los Angeles on a number of initiatives.

“Given the long-standing warm relationship between L.A. City Councilman Eric Garcetti and the ANCA-WR and the Armenian-American community in general, we were pleased to meet with Mayor Eric Garcetti and his top-level staff, not only to congratulate him on his election but also to discuss substantive issues of mutual concern, ranging from participation of Armenian-Americans in his administration to reinvigorating the sister city relationship between Los Angeles and Yerevan,” stated Hovsepian. She continued, “We were gratified to reaffirm that Mayor Garcetti is deeply committed to maintaining and further cultivating his relationship with our organization and our community in his new position of public service, and we enthusiastically look forward to working closely with him and his team toward the achievement of our common goals.”

The ANCA-WR discussed issues of mutual concern and benefit with the Mayor’s office. Topics discussed included finding innovative ways to improve the Los Angeles Sister City relationship with Yerevan, proper representation in City government, and how the ANCA-WR can play a role in serving as a median between the community and the initiatives proposed and implemented by the Mayor’s office.

“My Office and I have always enjoyed a strong relationship with the Armenian American community and the ANCA. I look forward to continuing our partnership to improve the City of Los Angeles. My goal is to foster leaders in every L.A. community,” commented Mayor Garcetti.

Also present at the meeting were members of his staff, including Anna Guerrero the Mayor’s Chief of Staff, Christine Jerian, Manager of City Services, Michelle Garakian from the Office of Economic Development, and Lynnette Amerian, Officer of Protocols. ANCA-WR representatives included Chairwoman Nora Hovsepian, Executive Director Elen Asatryan, Advisory Board member Mourad Topalian, Government Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan, and San Fernando Valley – West Chapter Chair Nareg Kitsinian.