46 CANADIAN MPS JOIN CANADA-ARMENIA FRIENDSHIP GROUP
PanARMENIAN.Net
02.04.2009 13:00 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 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 Armenian National
Committee of Canada told PanARMENIAN.Net.
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
neighbors, 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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
