V.OSKANIAN MEETS WITH HIS CANADIAN COLLEAGUE AND MEMBERS OF
CANADA-ARMENIA PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP GROUP

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 19 2006

TORONTO, OCTOBER 19, NOYAN TAPAN. On October 18, RA Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian, who is in Canada on a working visit, met with his
Canadian colleague, Peter Mackey.

During the meeting the Ministers positively estimated bilateral
relations mentioning that there is rather great potential for deepening
cooperation.

The Armenian community’s active role in the issue of deepening
cooperation between Canada and Armenia, as well as its role in the
Canadian public was especially emphasized.

The sides exchanged thoughts about regional problems, in particular,
touching upon Armenian-Turkish relations. In this connection Minister
Oskanian expressed gratitude to Canadian legislative and executive
powers for recognizing the Armenian Genocide highlighting that this is
manifestation of devotion to human rights protection by the Canadian
people.

The Ministers also discussed possibilities of making Armenian-Canadian
contacts more active at international organizations and conferences.

At Peter Mackey’s request, V.Oskanian spoke about regional
developments, Armenian-Turkish relations, current stage of Nagorno
Karabakh settlement negotiations. RA Foreign Minister also presented
Armenia’s position on the resolution to be presented by GUAM at the
UN General Assembly 61st sitting.

As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA Foreign Ministry Press and
Information Department, the same day V.Oskanian met with members of
the newly formed Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group at the
Canadian parliament. About 40 MPs are already included in the group
headed by Gary Goodyear.

In his speech made at the meeting with participation of representatives
of various organizations of Canadian Armenian community V.Oskanian
touched upon Armenian-Canadian cooperation in various spheres, as well
as reforms being implemented in Armenia and foreign policy priorities.

Head of Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group, Gary Goodyear
and Parliamentary Secretary of Canadian Prime Minister, Jason Kenny
spoke at the event. Jason Kenny conveyed to the event participants
the Canadian Prime Minister’s greeting speech.