Petition launched for opening of Canadian embassy in ArmeniaMarch 28, 2014 - 12:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - After years of failed attempts by the 100,000-strong Canadian-Armenian community to facilitate the establishment of Canadian diplomatic representation in Armenia, a small group of Canadian-Armenians has launched a petition to persuade Ottawa to open an embassy in Yerevan manned by achargé d'affaires, Keghart.com reports. The petition launched on Change.org is addressed to Canada’s Minister of External Affairs John Baird. The petitioners believe that a permanent Canadian diplomatic presence in Armenia would ensure Canada immediate interaction with and access to the government of Armenia, its businesses and people. Such a presence would promote Canadian commercial interests and promote other areas of bilateral relations, the petitioners maintain. The petitioners say the Canadian diplomatic office in Yerevan would not replace the Canadian embassy in Moscow which is currently responsible for Armenia. The focus of the Yerevan office would be the development of Canada-Armenia relations. A Canadian diplomatic presence in Armenia, say the petitioners, would increase Canadian investor confidence in Armenia. Investments create jobs and help curtail emigration. As Armenia transitions to a full democracy with market economy, Canadian diplomatic presence in Yerevan can boost such policies and make Armenia more confident about democracy, the petitioners believe. The petitioners hope the presence of a Canadian chargé d'affaires would eventually be followed by full diplomatic relations and an ambassador. Related links: Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. |