The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the signing of protocols on diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey.

"Canada is strongly in favour of Armenian-Turkish reconciliation, and welcomes the two governments’ efforts to normalize relations," said Minister Cannon. "These protocols represent a vital step toward that goal and to opening the border between Armenia and Turkey. They also make an important contribution to enhancing regional peace and security."

Minister Cannon discussed Armenian-Turkish relations during meetings in recent months with the Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers.

"Canada encourages the two countries to continue working toward reconciliation," said the Minister.

Upon invitation of the Honourable Gérald Tremblay, Mayor of Montreal, the newly elected Mayor of Yerevan Gagik Beglaryan, visited Montreal on July 22-24. A twinning agreement between the two cities was signed in 2001. more..

The 94th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and the 5th anniversary of Canada’s official recognition of the Armenian Genocide was commemorated in Ottawa by a series of events. more..

The newly-reconstituted all-party Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group, elected the Honourable Harold Albrecht (Conservative, Kitchener-Conestoga) as its new chair. Mr. Albrecht succeeds the Honourable Garry Goodyear (Conservative, Cambridge), who on October 30, 2008, was appointed Minister of State for Science and Technology. more..

"Les Grands Explorateurs", a Montreal-based private, education oriented company, widely known for 36 years for its series of high quality presentations on various countries and cultures of the world, has included in its current season a ciné-conference (a public lecture and a video film) about Armenia and its ancient culture. The presentation, produced by Marie Dominique Massol, will tour major Quebec cities from January 5 to March 7. It is expected that during the current season some 400 thousand spectators in 48 cities will attend presentations organized by "Les Grands Explorateurs". more..

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the earthquake in northern Armenia, H.E.Mr. Serge Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia, expressed gratitude to the people and Government of Canada for the valuable assistance in the aftermath of that devastating natural disaster.

In a letter addressed to Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, the President of Armenia, in particular, says: " From the first hours after the earthquake the world turned its attention to that tragedy, proving once more that pain is never someone else’s. We recall with gratitude all those who shared our sorrow at that dire time and stood by us. On behalf of the people of Armenia and my own behalf I would like to express, through you, deep gratitude to the people and Government of Canada for the assistance rendered to Armenia following the earthquake. We are confident that the humanitarian deeds are always remembered  and they multiply kindness and light of the world".

The 24th session of the Ministerial Council and 12th Summit of the heads of state and government of the International Organization of Francophonie took place in Quebec City on October 15-19, 2008.

Armenia was represented at the Ministerial Council and the Summit by H.E. Mr. Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Summit adopted a resolution, upgrading Armenia to associate member of the International Organization of Francophonie. more..

The Right Honourable 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 concluded presidential election." more..