Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group Established

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group Established

    Armenian National Committee of Canada
    130 Albert St., Suite 1007
    Ottawa, ON
    KIP 5G4
    Tel. (613) 235-2622 Fax (613) 238-2622
    [email protected]
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 14,2006


    Contact: Roupen Kouyoumjian
    Tel. (613) 235-2622

    Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group Established

    Ottawa - The Canada-Armenia Preliminary Friendship (CAPF) for the 39th
    Parliament was established at a meeting in the House of Commons today.

    House of Commons and Canadian Senate members were invited by MP Gary
    Goodyear (Conservative-Cambridge) to attend the founding meeting and
    elect a new executive for CAPF. So far 32 members of Parliament and
    Senators have joined CAPF.

    In his opening remarks Goodyear thanked MPs and Senators and said:
    "Your presence demonstrates your support for the positive relationship
    that exists between Armenia and Canada. As you know, our Prime
    Minister recently officially recognized the Armenian Genocide of
    1915 in Parliament. We believe that this was a positive step toward
    healing the wounds of the past and paving the road for a peaceful
    and prosperous relationship between Canada and Armenia."

    Afterwards, Goodyear called upon MP Derek Lee
    (Liberal-Scarborough-Rouge River) to preside over the election of
    the CAPF executive.

    The following members were elected to the executive:
    Gary Goodyear, Chairman
    Nicole Demers (Bloc Quebecois, Laval), Vice-President
    Jim Karygiannis (Liberal, Scarborough-Agincourt),
    Vice-President
    Alexa McDonough (NDP, Halifax), Vice-President
    Raymonde Folco (Liberal, Laval-Les Iles), Secretary

    The Members authorized the newly elected executive to fill in the
    vacant post of Treasurer, Membership and two Directors at a later date.

    In his "thank-you" remarks, Goodyear said: "Canada' s know-how
    and experience is much needed in Armenia. Canada should stand in
    solidarity with Armenia and reward its people for their resolve
    and commitment to the principles of democracy, free market economy,
    and human rights. Furthermore, Canada should establish diplomatic
    presence in Yerevan, the capital of the Republic of Armenia. Canada's
    diplomatic presence will have a pivotal role in enhancing our country's
    image in the region."

    "By forming this friendship group we send a clear message to
    the Armenian people that they are not alone, that Canada and the
    international community will stand by them to overcome the current
    difficult transitional period," he concluded.

    Arman Agopian, the Charge d' affairs of the Embassy of Armenia,
    thanked the Canadian parliamentarians for their support and commitment
    to foster and enhance strong and positive bi-lateral relationship
    between Canada and Armenia. He also invited the members of CAPF to
    visit Armenia to better understand and appreciate Armenia and the
    Armenian people.

    CAPF new president invited Aris Babikian, executive director of the
    Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC), to relay the message of
    the Canadian-Armenian Community. Babikian said that the establishment
    of CAPF marked another milestone for ANCC and the Canadian-Armenian
    community. He said that he was gratified to see "so many old friends
    of ANCC accepted to join CAPF in addition to new members."

    He pledged ANCC unwavering support to CAPF to achieve its mission
    and its goals.

    MP Lee said that ANCC support is "highly valuable for CAPF's
    success." He noted that many parliamentary friendship groups are
    created during the lifetime of a parliament. "Most of them are
    dormant and inactive. The support of the Armenian community will
    insure CAPF's productivity."

    Senator Grafstein emphasized the importance of economic incentives
    to foster peace, prosperity and harmony in the region.

    At the conclusion of the meeting, ANCC hosted a reception for CAPF
    members and Armenian Embassy representatives. The ANCC contingent was
    headed by Krikor Der Ghazarian, Jean Meguerditchian, and Paul Douzjian.

    -30-

    The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
    grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
    network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and
    affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances
    the concerns of the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range
    of issues.

    Regional Chapters
    Montreal - Laval - Ottawa - Toronto - Hamilton - Cambridge -
    St. Catharines - Windsor - Vancouver
Working...
X