PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada
Contact: Dn. Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
Tel; 514-276-9479 (ext. 3)
Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected]
Website;
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont-Montreal
Quebec-CANADA H2V 3H2
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Armenian President and Canadian Prime Minister Exchange Messages
The Right Honorable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, sent a
message to H.E. Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, congratulating him on his
inauguration as President of the Republic of Armenia. In his letter
the Prime Minister particularly stresses that `Canada has long
supported democratic development as one of its international
priorities. We were pleased to note that Armenia’s presidential
election showed further progress towards internationally accepted
electoral standards’. Mr. Harper further notes that `Canada has been
enriched by the presence of a large community of Armenian heritage,
who I know will also be heartened by Armenia’s democratic progress,
both in the parliamentary elections of last May and in the recently
concludedpresidential election.’
In his reply message the President of Armenia thanked the Prime
Minister ofCanada for his congratulations, stressing that `our mutual
commitment to universal human values and Canada’s active and efficient
involvement in the resolution of the most urgent global issues provide
a solid basis for productive bilateral and multilateral cooperation’.
The two leaders also exchange m essages on the forthcoming 12th
Conference of Heads of State and Government of Countries Using French
as a Common Language in Quebec (Sommet de laFrancophonie). Responding
to the Canadian Prime Minister’s invitation to participate in the
Francophonie Summit, the President of Armenia wrotethat `l’Arménie
accorde une grande importance à l’Organisation Internationale de la
Francophonie l’adhésion à laquelleen tant qu’observateur a donné un
nouvel élan aux riches traditions de la francophonie dans notre
pays. Désireux d’amplifier la dimension francophone de l’Arménie qui
partage profondément l’ensemble desvaleurs et principes fondateurs
formulés dans la Charte de la Francophonie, la République Arménie a
présenté la demande officielle de devenir membre associé de
l’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, et cette demande va
être examiné au Sommet du Québec’. President Sargsyan expressed
hope that Canada would support Armenia’s desire to become associated
member in the International Organization of Francophonie.
The forthcoming Francophonie Summit was also the subject of messages
exchanged between President of Armenia, Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, and Prime
Minister of Quebec, Mr. Jean Charest.