Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group Makes its Second Annual Visit to the Republic of Armenia

The delegation of the Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group Parliamentary Exchange visited the Republic of Armenia in early July, 2003. The delegation, headed by Mr. Sarkis Assadourian, M.P., Brampton Centre, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, included Hon. Maria Minna, P.C. M.P., Beaches-East York, Raymond Simard, M.P., Saint Baniface, Senator, David Smith, P.C., Q.C.

 During their four-day stay (July 3-7) in Armenia, the delegation met with the members of the Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group, colleagues from the Armenian National Assembly. The delegation was received by the President of the Republic of Armenia Robert Kocharian, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, other high ranking officials, as well as His Holiness Garegin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, Arthur Baghdassaryan hosted a dinner for the Canadian guests.

Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group was created in the Parliament of Canada under the leadership of Sarkis Assadourian, Liberal M.P. in April, 2001. In October of the same year, an Armenia-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group was established within the Armenian National Assembly.

In May of 2002, the first delegation of the Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group visited Yrevan. On September 26, members of the Armenia-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group arrived in Canada with a reciprocal visit.