By decision of the German president Horst Koehler professor Mihran Dabagh, the founding director of the Institute for Diaspora affairs and genocide studies and member of the Armenian community of Germany, is given the highest German award Cross for Merit in the town of Bochum.

Statesmen and prominent cultural and scientific workers are usually given that highest award.

The same day writer Ralf Giordano was also awarded the Cross for Merit. Ralf Giordano also received the "St Sahak - Mesrop" award for his activities for the benefit of Armenians from the Catholocos of All Armenians Garegin II.