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BAKU: Azerbaijan diaspora in Canada should do much to resist Armenia

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  • BAKU: Azerbaijan diaspora in Canada should do much to resist Armenia

    news.az, Azerbaijan
    June 25 2010



    Azerbaijani diaspora in Canada should do much to resist Armenians
    Fri 25 June 2010 | 07:04 GMT Text size:


    Reza Moridi News.Az interviews Azerbaijani Reza Moridi, member of the
    parliament of Canadian Ontario.

    Are diaspora organizations interested in the direct working with
    provincial parliaments and governments in Canada?

    Naturally, the Federal parliament and the government of Canada are
    settling many issues. At the same time, regional parliaments and
    governments in this country have sufficient powers to settle a number
    of questions. In particular, the Foreign Ministry reports to federal
    government, while the spheres of education and health, including
    universities and schools, as well as hospitals report to regional
    governments. As for economy, a significant part of this sphere is
    controlled by regional governments. The federal government regulates
    only the monetary policy in the country.

    Regional provinces are almost considered independent with their prime
    ministers and parliaments. Regional legislative bodies adopt laws that
    are implemented by the governments of the provinces.

    Is it possible to attain the adoption of the issues directly
    responding to Azerbaijan's interests, in particular, recognition of
    the Khojaly genocide in these parliaments?

    Certainly, there is such an opportunity. Though, I would like to note
    that Azerbaijan is not so well known in Canada as a country.
    Azerbaijan gained independence just 20 years ago. Earlier, Azerbaijan
    was known as part of the Soviet Union. Nevertheless, Canadians started
    to get more information about Azerbaijan since the establishment of
    the Azerbaijani embassy in Ottawa 4-5 years ago. The diplomatic
    mission of Azerbaijan headed by Ambassador Farid Shafiyev has done
    much for Canadians to learn more about Azerbaijan. I have also
    contributed to informing Canadians, especially Ontario residents and
    politicians, about Azerbaijan. However, huge work is to be done in
    this direction. In this respect, the Azerbaijani state has a special
    responsibility to develop cooperation with Canada. Naturally,
    significant work has been held, for example, on May 30 we raised the
    Azerbaijani flag in the Ontario parliament. On the same day I spoke at
    the Ontario parliament regarding the problems of Azerbaijan. This work
    is aimed to provide wider information about Azerbaijan in Canada.

    Is the Azerbaijani diaspora in Canada active?

    There are organizations of Azerbaijani diaspora. On the whole, the
    Azerbaijani diaspora in Canada can be divided into two parts. The
    first part of Azerbaijani immigrants in Canada includes those who
    arrived in the country after Azerbaijan gained state independence.
    This category of immigrants includes 25,000-30,000 people. The second
    part of Azerbaijani migrants includes Iranian Azerbaijanis who arrived
    in Canada after the Islamic revolution in Iran. This category of
    Azerbaijani migrants accounts for 50,000-60,000 people in Ontario.
    Thus, about 80,000 Azerbaijanis live in Ontario.

    Does the Azerbaijani diaspora in Canada have real opportunities of
    active participation in the sociopolitical life of the country?

    The Ojaq society involving immigrants from both North and South
    Azerbaijan was created in Canadian Toronto 20 years ago. Huge work,
    including cultural events, has been held since that time. This work
    still continues. Though, there is a need to hold a greater work in
    this direction. This activeness of the diaspora is fruitful. For
    example, the speaker of the Ontario parliament received representative
    of the Azerbaijani embassy in Canada.

    How does the Armenian diaspora in Canada organize its activity?

    The Armenian diaspora is strong though their number is not so high,
    for example, there are about 30,000 Armenians in Ontario. But they
    have been living there for already 70-80 years. Therefore, the
    Armenian diaspora has wider opportunities. Ontario has an Armenian
    community that has held a huge work within that period. Naturally,
    they are very active.

    Does the Azerbaijani diaspora hold any work to neutralize the activity
    of the Armenian diaspora aimed at the propaganda of `1915 genocide'?

    The Azerbaijani diaspora will have to work much in this direction. At
    the same time, this work should be held not only among politicians but
    also among the population. It should be noted that this work is held
    by the Azerbaijani embassy in Canada and the Azerbaijani diaspora must
    also join the implementation of this task.

    Is any work conducted for cooperation between the parliaments of
    Azerbaijan and Canada?

    There is an interparliamentary Azerbaijan-Cana group of friendship.
    The mutual visits of parliamentarians are conducted and this may play
    a fruitful role in establishing partner relations between the
    parliaments of the two countries.

    Which interests of Azerbaijan and Canada may play a role in
    strengthening relations between the two countries?

    The cooperation between Azerbaijan and Canada may be established in
    most spheres. Both Azerbaijan and Canada, including Ontario have great
    opportunities for mutual cooperation. Meanwhile, it should be taken
    into account that there are 13 million people in Ontario whose annual
    budget reaches $130 bn. Automobile construction is developed in
    Ontario. A greater part of US cars are produced in this sphere.
    Therefore, there is a great potential in the development of bilateral
    cooperation between Azerbaijan and Canada including with Ontario.

    U.U.
    News.Az




    From: A. Papazian
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