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The relations of Armenia and Canada are based on such common values, as democracy, the rule of law and human rights: The Deputy Chair of the RA NA Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs Rustam Bakoyan said during the meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Armenia Andrew Turner.

Rustam Bakoyan expressed conviction that Andrew Turner’s appointment and the opening of the Embassy of Canada in Armenia will be a new stimulus already for the Armenian-Canadian friendly relations being built on good bases.

He expressed his gratitude to the Canadian side for providing humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of the forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno Karabakh, as well as for the pro-Armenian statements voiced by the Canadian side on the UN and different international platforms.

Presenting the security situation in Armenia, Rustam Bakoyan underscored that Azerbaijan continuously attacks the sovereign territory of Armenia. He touched upon the problem of the Armenian prisoners of war being held in Azerbaijan, stressing that the imposing of sanctions on Azerbaijan is an urgent necessity.

According to the Deputy Chair of the Committee, Armenia does its best for reaching long lasting peace and stability in the region: “And for that purpose the Crossroads of Peace Project was elaborated. I am sure that Canada will have great contribution to implementing the Project,” Rustam Bakoyan said, adding that we also have necessity of expanding the EU Observation Mission. He underscored that Canada is the first non EU member state which expressed readiness to join this Mission.

The deputy spoke about the need of the international support for solving housing, social, educational and other problems of more than 100.000 forcibly displaced Armenians subjected to ethnic cleansing from Nagorno Karabakh.

Regarding the steps aimed at more activating the Armenian-Canadian parliamentary cooperation, Rustam Bakoyan noted as an important impulse the mutual visits.

The Ambassador Andrew Turner thanked Rustam Bakoyan for warm reception. He mentioned that he will make all efforts for the development of relations between the two countries. “Armenia and Canada have very common values - as democracy and protection of human rights,” the Ambassador noted, adding that Canada supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia.

The meeting took place on March 21, where the Committee members, the Secretary of the RA NA Civil Contract Faction Artur Hovhannisyan, deputies Marina Ghazaryan, Tigran Parsilyan and the deputy of the RA NA With Honor Faction Taguhi Tovmasyan attended.

Artur Hovhannisyan, as member of the OSCE PA Armenian delegation, greatly emphasized the pro-Armenian resolutions adopted during the last, Summer Session. He informed that this week the Parliament of Armenia ratified the Agreement on the status of the EU Observation Mission. Highlighting the adoption of the Agreement, Artur Hovhannisyan reaffirmed that peace is necessary for all countries of the region.

Taguhi Tovmasyan referred to the security system of Armenia, the ethnic cleansing implemented against the Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh, the destruction of the cultural heritage on the territory of Nagorno Karabakh, underscoring the importance of the EU Observation Mission activities, as well as spoke about the democratic problems.