12 June 2017. On Monday morning, His Holiness Aram I met in his office with Attorney Joseph Ganimian, president of the Executive Council of the Western Diocese of North America and a member of the Spiritual Council of the Holy See Etchmiadzin. Dr Avedis Dakessian, president of the Lebanese Chapter of The Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, Ramgavar, accompanied Maître Ganimian. Discussions focussed on the Armenian communities in North America, the relationship between the Western Diocese, under the Jurisdiction of the Catholicosate of Etchmiadzin, and the Eastern Diocese of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, as well as cooperation among the Armenian political parties. His Holiness concluded the meeting by emphasizing the urgency of working together in view of the global political landscape. He expressed his hope that the two Dioceses and all parties would work together based on the principle of mutual understanding and respect.