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An Unprecedented 46 Parliamentarians Join Canada-Armenia Friendship

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  • An Unprecedented 46 Parliamentarians Join Canada-Armenia Friendship

    AN UNPRECEDENTED 46 PARLIAMENTARIANS JOIN CANADA-ARMENIA FRIENDSHIP GROUP

    www.asbarez.com/index.html?showarticle=4112 9_4/3/2009_1
    Friday, April 3, 2009

    OTTAWA, Canada--A record number of Canadian House of Commons and
    Senate members have joined the newly-reconstituted Canada-Armenia
    Parliamentary Friendship Group. During the March 25 Annual General
    Meeting, Harold Albrecht (Kitchener-Conestoga, MP) was elected chair
    of the group. Nicole Demers (Laval), Reymonde Folco (Laval-les
    Iles) and Peter Stoffer (Sackville-Eastern Shore) were elected
    vice-chairs. Senators Con Di Nino and Jerahmiel S. Grafstein, both
    of Ontario, were also elected to the board.

    The friendship group's past-chair, Hon. Gary Goodyear, welcomed and
    thanked the parliamentarians and said: "Members of the group, those
    from the Armenian community and all those who contributed to this
    group's success deserve our praise."

    Hon. Goodyear emphasized "Armenia needs the help of the outside
    world to overcome its difficulties. Facing an unjust blockade by two
    of its neighbours, a devastating earthquake in 1988 and a shortage
    of financial and technical capital, Armenia has welcomed Canada's
    support." He added that Canada and Armenia are continuing to "pave
    a road to a peaceful and prosperous relationship and I look forward
    to the results."

    Hon. Goodyear praised the Armenian National Committee of Canada
    (ANCC) and its executive director, Aris Babikian, for the support
    they provided him during his three-year tenure as head of the
    Canadian-Armenian group.

    Following his election as chair, Mr. Albrecht thanked his colleagues
    for their trust, and for the privilege granted to him as chair of
    the group. He said: "Your interest in Canada-Armenia relations
    will continue to give rise to a prosperous future that rests on
    the foundation of an already peaceful and rewarding friendship. The
    work we do here is important to the three million Armenians living
    in Armenia and to the over five million in the rest of the world and
    particularly the 80,000 Canadian-Armenians who live in every province
    and territory of Canada."

    Mr. Albrecht said that he extended "our gratitude for the
    contributions of the Armenian people and all Canadians who are of
    Armenian descent." He said that he considered "Canadian Parliament's
    recognition and Prime Minister Stephen Harper's recognition of the
    Armenian Genocide of 1915 were important milestones in our journey
    forward. Armenians have courageously worked to move beyond the pain
    of the past and work toward a brighter future."

    The new chair concluded his remarks by reassuring that "Canada stands
    as a friend with Armenia. As an interparliamentary friendship group,
    we have the privilege and duty to work together to build on our
    accomplishments."

    Following the election of the rest of the board, the new chair
    invited Dr. Girair Basmadjian, president of the ANCC, to address the
    gathering. After thanking the friendship group and its new board,
    Dr. Basmadjian reminded new members that the task of the group has
    changed drastically since its formation 24 years ago. "Today many
    more challenges face Armenia and the friendship group. Establishing a
    Canadian embassy in Armenia, the lingering effects of the devastating
    1988 earthquake, the illegal blockade of Armenia by Turkey and
    Azerbaijan, the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict,
    and Canada-Armenia bilateral relations are among many issues which
    will challenge the group," said the head of ANCC.

    Dr. Basmadjian concluded his remarks by wishing the friendship group
    success, and pledged ANCC's support and solidarity. In addition
    to Dr. Basmadjian, the annual meeting was attended by Krikor Der
    Ghazarian, Paul Douzjian, Roupen Kouyoumjian, Edward Agopian, and
    Aris babikian, and board members of ANCC.

    The meeting was followed by an ANCC-hosted reception to celebrate
    the momentous event. During the reception many of the new members of
    the friendship group had the opportunity to get acquainted with ANCC
    representatives and with the committee's 45 years of advocacy. The
    parliamentarians also had the opportunity to discuss many of
    Canadian-Armenian community's concerns.

    Also attending the gathering was Hagop Evereklian, chief of staff,
    Ministry of Immigration, Citizenship and Multiculturalism.

    In preparation for the annual general meeting, the ANCC and its
    affiliated nation-wide chapters and supporters worked diligently in
    the last few months to solicit the participation of the largest number
    of parliamentarians possible in the friendship group. On March 11,
    an ANCC delegation joined Executive Director Aris Babikian to launch a
    final blitz in Ottawa to urge ministers, MPs and Senators to join the
    Canadian-Armenian group. During the blitz ANCC members met more than
    50 parliamentarians. The ANNC is confident that soon the friendship
    group's membership will reach sixty.

    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.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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