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The Prince Arthur Herald, Canada
May 2 2014
Interview with the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia
Bilateral relations between Canada and Armenia were established
immediately after the latter's independence in 1991. Diplomacy
officially began on January 31 1992 and three years later, Armenia
opened an Embassy in Ottawa. While Canada doesn't operate an Embassy
in Yerevan, the Canadian Ambassador to Russia His Excellency John Kur
is accredited to Armenia. Since the 1990s, Canada and Armenia have
shared a close bond that is continuously strengthening. To learn more
about this unique and fascinating relationship, I interviewed His
Excellency Armen Yeganian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to
Canada.
Q. What is the state of relations between our two countries?
A. Armenia and Canada hold a perfect record in regards to bilateral
diplomatic relations. In more than two decades of friendship, our two
countries have not experienced any problems or litigations. On the
contrary, we have supported each other mutually to the fullest extent
in many fields. For example, Canada unconditionally supported
Armenia's membership application to the "Organisation internationale
de la Francophonie" (OIF), from observer state in 2006 to associate
member in 2008, and then full member in October 2012. Armenia is proud
to be part of OIF as it shares many common values and holds more than
400 events annually that showcase its link with the Francophonie in
education, arts, cultures, etc.
Furthermore, our bilateral relations are continually enhanced through
three other factors. Firstly, the parliamentary friendship groups in
both governments are vibrantly engaged in maintaining parliamentary
diplomacy and a good channel of communications. Secondly, the Armenian
Diaspora in Canada acts as a bridge between our nations. Although
small in size, its high level of organisation helps conduct business
and exchanges. Thirdly, Armenia participates regularly in peacekeeping
missions - having troops currently deployed in Afghanistan and Kosovo
- and in many multilateral programs that promote peace and stability
such as NATO's "Partnership for Peace". Through this link, Armenia has
created good relations with many Western countries, including Canada.
Q. Why is our friendship so important?
A. Canada has a good track record on democracy and human rights. Those
issues were new to Armenia when independence was obtained in the early
90s. To distance ourselves from the Soviet era, it was very important
to partner with countries like Canada and acquire experience,
assistance, and friendships from the democratic world. Armenia's goal,
then and now, is to build a very strong democratic society. Yerevan
has had great success compared to other countries in the region. I
thus feel that it is necessary to continue working with Canada on all
levels to fill the gaps left by the Soviet Union.
Q. What then are the main priorities of Armenia's foreign policy in
Canada? What is your Embassy's role in furthering it?
A. With such great political relations and cooperation, we must put
more emphasis on trade. Canadian mining companies as well as other
resource-oriented industries have succeeded in working profitably in
Armenia. There have also been several successful joint-ventures,
including Armenian specialists working on Blackberry. Currently, trade
figures are not huge but foundations are solid and there are great
perspectives in the future.
Thus, our embassy is at work every day promoting trade as well as
cultural ties and much more. To this end, I was privileged to visit
half of the provinces with the aim of expanding our networks with
different provincial governments and organisations. Through this work,
our embassy connects the dots between Canadian and Armenian partners.
Q. What steps should be taken to enhance our bilateral relations?
A. First, I would like to see a Canadian embassy in Yerevan. This
would expedite communications as well as facilitate political and
diplomatic aspects of our bilateral relations. Second, a growth in
trade is desirable. Armenian companies can and should be partners to
more Canadian ones. Did you know that Armenia is rapidly becoming a
hub in the diamond/jewelry industry? Armenia is also on track to
become a regional leader in the spirits industry, producing high
quality cognac and wine. Consequently, I see a natural fit between us
in certain areas, such as Quebec's mining industry. Third, town
twinning could be expanded across Canada as it will serve to bolster
trade and cultural relations.
Last, we must continue spreading knowledge about the Armenian Genocide
and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR). While the Genocide is already
recognised by the Canadian government, some provincial governments
(including Quebec), and major cities (including Montreal), the
situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is less known. This issue is about human
rights. It is not a territorial, racial or religious problem. The
Armenian-majority living in Azeri-controlled Nagorno-Karabakh did not
have equal rights. Their region was the most underdeveloped in
Azerbaijan. Since attaining independence in 1991, the citizens of the
NKR have enjoyed a fully democratic, self-sufficient society. While
pursuing peaceful negotiations with Azerbaijan, we must continue to
uphold the basic human rights of the citizens of the NKR.
http://princearthurherald.com/en/politics-2/interview-with-the-ambassador-of-the-republic-of-armenia-998
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
May 2 2014
Interview with the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia
Bilateral relations between Canada and Armenia were established
immediately after the latter's independence in 1991. Diplomacy
officially began on January 31 1992 and three years later, Armenia
opened an Embassy in Ottawa. While Canada doesn't operate an Embassy
in Yerevan, the Canadian Ambassador to Russia His Excellency John Kur
is accredited to Armenia. Since the 1990s, Canada and Armenia have
shared a close bond that is continuously strengthening. To learn more
about this unique and fascinating relationship, I interviewed His
Excellency Armen Yeganian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to
Canada.
Q. What is the state of relations between our two countries?
A. Armenia and Canada hold a perfect record in regards to bilateral
diplomatic relations. In more than two decades of friendship, our two
countries have not experienced any problems or litigations. On the
contrary, we have supported each other mutually to the fullest extent
in many fields. For example, Canada unconditionally supported
Armenia's membership application to the "Organisation internationale
de la Francophonie" (OIF), from observer state in 2006 to associate
member in 2008, and then full member in October 2012. Armenia is proud
to be part of OIF as it shares many common values and holds more than
400 events annually that showcase its link with the Francophonie in
education, arts, cultures, etc.
Furthermore, our bilateral relations are continually enhanced through
three other factors. Firstly, the parliamentary friendship groups in
both governments are vibrantly engaged in maintaining parliamentary
diplomacy and a good channel of communications. Secondly, the Armenian
Diaspora in Canada acts as a bridge between our nations. Although
small in size, its high level of organisation helps conduct business
and exchanges. Thirdly, Armenia participates regularly in peacekeeping
missions - having troops currently deployed in Afghanistan and Kosovo
- and in many multilateral programs that promote peace and stability
such as NATO's "Partnership for Peace". Through this link, Armenia has
created good relations with many Western countries, including Canada.
Q. Why is our friendship so important?
A. Canada has a good track record on democracy and human rights. Those
issues were new to Armenia when independence was obtained in the early
90s. To distance ourselves from the Soviet era, it was very important
to partner with countries like Canada and acquire experience,
assistance, and friendships from the democratic world. Armenia's goal,
then and now, is to build a very strong democratic society. Yerevan
has had great success compared to other countries in the region. I
thus feel that it is necessary to continue working with Canada on all
levels to fill the gaps left by the Soviet Union.
Q. What then are the main priorities of Armenia's foreign policy in
Canada? What is your Embassy's role in furthering it?
A. With such great political relations and cooperation, we must put
more emphasis on trade. Canadian mining companies as well as other
resource-oriented industries have succeeded in working profitably in
Armenia. There have also been several successful joint-ventures,
including Armenian specialists working on Blackberry. Currently, trade
figures are not huge but foundations are solid and there are great
perspectives in the future.
Thus, our embassy is at work every day promoting trade as well as
cultural ties and much more. To this end, I was privileged to visit
half of the provinces with the aim of expanding our networks with
different provincial governments and organisations. Through this work,
our embassy connects the dots between Canadian and Armenian partners.
Q. What steps should be taken to enhance our bilateral relations?
A. First, I would like to see a Canadian embassy in Yerevan. This
would expedite communications as well as facilitate political and
diplomatic aspects of our bilateral relations. Second, a growth in
trade is desirable. Armenian companies can and should be partners to
more Canadian ones. Did you know that Armenia is rapidly becoming a
hub in the diamond/jewelry industry? Armenia is also on track to
become a regional leader in the spirits industry, producing high
quality cognac and wine. Consequently, I see a natural fit between us
in certain areas, such as Quebec's mining industry. Third, town
twinning could be expanded across Canada as it will serve to bolster
trade and cultural relations.
Last, we must continue spreading knowledge about the Armenian Genocide
and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR). While the Genocide is already
recognised by the Canadian government, some provincial governments
(including Quebec), and major cities (including Montreal), the
situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is less known. This issue is about human
rights. It is not a territorial, racial or religious problem. The
Armenian-majority living in Azeri-controlled Nagorno-Karabakh did not
have equal rights. Their region was the most underdeveloped in
Azerbaijan. Since attaining independence in 1991, the citizens of the
NKR have enjoyed a fully democratic, self-sufficient society. While
pursuing peaceful negotiations with Azerbaijan, we must continue to
uphold the basic human rights of the citizens of the NKR.
http://princearthurherald.com/en/politics-2/interview-with-the-ambassador-of-the-republic-of-armenia-998
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress