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CANADIAN LAWMAKER CONTINUES TO SHOW LEADERSHIP IN KARABAKH'S DEVELOPMENT
http://asbarez.com/114328/canadian-lawmaker-continues-to-show-leadership-in-karabakh%E2%80%99s-development/
Wednesday, September 25th, 2013
Canadian Member of Parliament Stephane Dion (left) meets with President
of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakian and cabinet members
YEREVAN-Stephane Dion, Member of Parliament for
Saint-Laurent-Cartierville and former Leader of Her Majesty's
Loyal Opposition is on visit to the Republic of Armenia and the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic from September 21 to 27, 2013. Dion's visit
has allowed him to view first-hand the progress that Armenia and
Artsakh have made since becoming independent, as well as to share
the knowledge gained from his experience as Canadian Minister of
the Environment and Minister of Inter-Governmental Affairs with the
governments of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
Dion was accompanied on his trip by Dr. Girair Basmajian, chair of
the Armenian National Committee of Canada, which was instrumental in
organizing this fact-finding mission.
Dion's trip included meetings with Armenian legislators, meetings
with officials of both Armenia's and Artsakh's executive branches
of government, and visits with Syrian-Armenian refugees that have
been recently displaced from their homes due to the internal strife
in Syria.
According to official estimates, there are approximately 10,000
Syrian-Armenian refugees living in both the Republic of Armenia and
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
During a one-day visit to Stepanakert, the capital of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Mr. Dion met with Artsakh President Bako
Sahakian and Speaker of Parliament Ashot Ghulian.
Dion's visit coincided with the 22nd anniversary of the independence
of the Republic of Armenia and gave him a chance to witness how
economic and social conditions have evolved since Armenia regained
its independence after 70 years of Soviet rule. Similarly, Dion was
able to view how Nagorno-Karabakh has progressed since its people were
able to free themselves from Azerbaijani oppression. On his return to
Canada, Dion has said he will share his observations with his fellow
members of parliament and will provide them with unique insights as
someone intimately familiar with the right to self-determination in
international law.
Stephane Dion pays his respects to the victims of the Armenian Genocide
at the Dzidzernagapert memorial in Yerevan
"Mr. Dion's visit to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh was an important
step in further strengthening the ties between Canada and these new
democracies. Mr. Dion is following in the footsteps of the Canadian
parliamentary delegation that observed Nagorno-Karabakh's free and fair
elections in 2012 and a separate Canadian parliamentary delegation
that attended the inauguration of Armenia's president earlier this
year." said Dr. Basmajian.
"Mr. Dion saw for himself how Nagorno-Karabakh has developed over
the last 20 years and the problems caused by Azerbaijan's aggression
and illegal blockade of Armenia. No doubt Mr. Dion's trip would have
been more comfortable if Azerbaijan's threats to shoot down civilian
airliners had not kept Stepanakert's airport from opening. We can only
hope that the next time a Canadian delegation visits Nagorno-Karabakh,
the airport will be accepting travellers."
Dr. Basmajian also hoped that Dion's visit would convince Canada and
the international community to provide assistance to the over 10,000
Syrian-Armenians who have been displaced by the current situation in
Syria and now reside in Armenia and Karabakh. Dr.
Basmajian said, "The Armenian-Canadian community joins with all
Canadians in applauding the Canadian government's contributions to
Syria's neighboring countries to assist with caring for the influx
of refugees escaping from Syria, but it is important to also assist
the government of Armenia in dealing with the substantial costs it
has undertaken to care for the Syrian-Armenians who have recently
arrived in Armenia. We are confident that once our representatives
hear from Mr. Dion about the need for international assistance they
will do whatever they can to help."
http://asbarez.com/114328/canadian-lawmaker-continues-to-show-leadership-in-karabakh%E2%80%99s-development/
Wednesday, September 25th, 2013
Canadian Member of Parliament Stephane Dion (left) meets with President
of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakian and cabinet members
YEREVAN-Stephane Dion, Member of Parliament for
Saint-Laurent-Cartierville and former Leader of Her Majesty's
Loyal Opposition is on visit to the Republic of Armenia and the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic from September 21 to 27, 2013. Dion's visit
has allowed him to view first-hand the progress that Armenia and
Artsakh have made since becoming independent, as well as to share
the knowledge gained from his experience as Canadian Minister of
the Environment and Minister of Inter-Governmental Affairs with the
governments of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
Dion was accompanied on his trip by Dr. Girair Basmajian, chair of
the Armenian National Committee of Canada, which was instrumental in
organizing this fact-finding mission.
Dion's trip included meetings with Armenian legislators, meetings
with officials of both Armenia's and Artsakh's executive branches
of government, and visits with Syrian-Armenian refugees that have
been recently displaced from their homes due to the internal strife
in Syria.
According to official estimates, there are approximately 10,000
Syrian-Armenian refugees living in both the Republic of Armenia and
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
During a one-day visit to Stepanakert, the capital of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Mr. Dion met with Artsakh President Bako
Sahakian and Speaker of Parliament Ashot Ghulian.
Dion's visit coincided with the 22nd anniversary of the independence
of the Republic of Armenia and gave him a chance to witness how
economic and social conditions have evolved since Armenia regained
its independence after 70 years of Soviet rule. Similarly, Dion was
able to view how Nagorno-Karabakh has progressed since its people were
able to free themselves from Azerbaijani oppression. On his return to
Canada, Dion has said he will share his observations with his fellow
members of parliament and will provide them with unique insights as
someone intimately familiar with the right to self-determination in
international law.
Stephane Dion pays his respects to the victims of the Armenian Genocide
at the Dzidzernagapert memorial in Yerevan
"Mr. Dion's visit to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh was an important
step in further strengthening the ties between Canada and these new
democracies. Mr. Dion is following in the footsteps of the Canadian
parliamentary delegation that observed Nagorno-Karabakh's free and fair
elections in 2012 and a separate Canadian parliamentary delegation
that attended the inauguration of Armenia's president earlier this
year." said Dr. Basmajian.
"Mr. Dion saw for himself how Nagorno-Karabakh has developed over
the last 20 years and the problems caused by Azerbaijan's aggression
and illegal blockade of Armenia. No doubt Mr. Dion's trip would have
been more comfortable if Azerbaijan's threats to shoot down civilian
airliners had not kept Stepanakert's airport from opening. We can only
hope that the next time a Canadian delegation visits Nagorno-Karabakh,
the airport will be accepting travellers."
Dr. Basmajian also hoped that Dion's visit would convince Canada and
the international community to provide assistance to the over 10,000
Syrian-Armenians who have been displaced by the current situation in
Syria and now reside in Armenia and Karabakh. Dr.
Basmajian said, "The Armenian-Canadian community joins with all
Canadians in applauding the Canadian government's contributions to
Syria's neighboring countries to assist with caring for the influx
of refugees escaping from Syria, but it is important to also assist
the government of Armenia in dealing with the substantial costs it
has undertaken to care for the Syrian-Armenians who have recently
arrived in Armenia. We are confident that once our representatives
hear from Mr. Dion about the need for international assistance they
will do whatever they can to help."