Canadian Parliamentarians end successful visit in Armenia
YEREVAN, ARMENIA (combined sources) – A Canadian parliamentary delegation led by MP Harold Albrecht, Conservative and chairman of Canada - Armenia Friendship Group, Rob Oliphant, Liberal, and Tony Martin, New Democratic Party, paid an official visit to the Republic of Armenia from September 6 to 10, 2010.
Immediately upon arrival, the Canadian MPs met with their colleagues in the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia.
The members were greeted by the Chairman of the Armenia Canada Parliamentary Group, MP Hovhannes Sahagian, discussing potential venues for developing bilateral relations between the two parliaments.
Following this meeting with Armenian Parliamentarians, the RA National Assembly President, His Excellency Hovik Abrahamyan received the Canadian delegation.
The RA National Assembly speaker expressed his high appraisal for Armenian - Canadian relations.
He noted that the visit of Canadian parliamentarians will certainly stimulate and further promote the established friendship between the two countries and continue to strengthen the existing inter-parliamentary relationships.
RA National Assembly president emphasized the role of the parliaments and parliamentary diplomacy in the rapidly changing world.
The speaker of the house noted that opening of a Canadian Embassy in Yerevan would greatly benefit the development and strengthening of bilateral relations between Armenia and Canada.
At the meeting the two sides also touched upon the Nagorno Karabagh conflict and the Armenian-Turkish relations.
That day, the delegation visited Armenian Genocide Memorial Dzidzernagapert and the adjacent center to pay homage to more than 1.5 million Armenians who perished under the Ottoman Empire.
Memorial wreaths were laid to honor their memories and a short requiem prayer service was led by His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, primate of the Armenian Church Canadian Diocese.
In the afternoon His Excellency Edward Nalbandian, minister of foreign affairs received the Parliamentary delegation for a very productive discussion.
On Wednesday morning, the parliamentary delegation headed to the spiritual birthplace of Armenian Christianity, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, where they were greeted by His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, primate of the Armenian Church Canadian Diocese.
Canadian politicians toured the complex of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and visited the Mother Cathedral.
The same day, RA President His Excellency Serzh Sargsyan received the Canadian delegation.
President Sargsyan welcomed the group to Armenia and noted that Armenia and Canada are cooperating efficiently in bilateral and multilateral formats.
The president highlighted the importance of developing more active inter-parliamentarian relations.
"Canada is an important state, with a powerful economic and democratic system."
President Serzh Sargsyan said he appreciates the 2006 decision for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
"We are grateful to the Parliament and Government of Canada for their position on the recognition of the Armenian genocide.”
MP Harold Albrecht, head of Canada Armenia parliamentary friendship group, stated that the presence of the Armenian community in Canada has been an important factor in the development of the great friendship between the two countries.
He added that Armenians have made great contributions to the development of Canada’s economy, political life, culture and other spheres.
During the meeting the representatives underscored the necessity of making the Armenian-Canadian cooperation in all spheres more active by promoting Canadian investment in the economy of Armenia.
They noted the importance of Canada’s experience in the areas of agriculture and mining, as well as the potential for cooperation in the areas of culture and education.
Following the meeting with the president, Canadian MPs visited the government building of the Republic of Armenia and met with RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan who greeted the guests.
The Right Honorable Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan emphasized the importance of establishing economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
The prime minister presented the prospects for the development of bilateral cooperation in the field of business and economy, especially, in the sectors of mining, industry, IT, tourism, healthcare and energy.
The two sides also touched upon the need for establishing Canada’s Embassy to Armenia noting that it would encourage and strengthen development of political, economic and cultural relations.
The permanent representative of Karabagh in Armenia Mr. Karlen Avetisyan shared information on the peace process of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict.
The delegation also met with Members of Parliament Dr Artsivik Minasyan and Mr Ara Nranyan, from the ARF-Dashnaktsoutyoun party, as well as Mr. Giro Manoyan and Ms Maria Titizian. During the meeting, which was followed by a luncheon, Dr Artsivik Minasyan presented the party' platform to the Canadian delegation.
During the stay of Canadian parliamentarians in Armenia they visited key historical-cultural sites and also had a meeting with the mayor of Yerevan.
On behalf of the Canadian Armenian community Mr Hagop Arslanian (Director of Governmental Relations Office of the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church) and Mr Hrag Darakdjian (chair of the Armenian National Committee of Montreal) accompanied the parliamentary delegation in Armenia.
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Pictured:
1. Delegates visit the Armenian Genocide Memorial Dzidzernagapert.
2. Delegates meet with the President of Armenia, His Excellency Serzh Sargsyan
3. Delegates meet with Members of Parliament, Dr Artsivik Minasyan and Mr Ara Nranyan from the ARF-Dashnaktsoutyoun party.
4. Photo following the meeting with ARF-Dashnaktsoutyoun party representatives, MP Dr. Artsivik Minasyan, MP Ara Nranyan, as well as Mr Giro Manoyan and Ms Maria Titizian.