25th Anniversary of the Republic of Armenia’s Independence Celebrated on Parliament Hill, Canada

25th Anniversary of the Republic of Armenia’s Independence Celebrated on Parliament Hill, Canada –

Ottawa –Today, September 21st marks the 25th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia. Armenians in Canada and across the globe will celebrate this important milestone for a new republic and an ancient nation.

 Over the past quarter century, Armenia has continuedto develop its democratic institutions, its social structures, its economy and its foreign relations, as evidenced by membershipin over 40 international organizations.

 From its first days of independence Armenia has received the unwavering support of Canada and Canadians, through high-level exchanges, business investment, bilateral exchanges, and person-to-person connections.

 OnMonday, September 19 2016, the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) hosted a Reception on Parliament Hill, where over 50 Ministers, Members of Parliament, Senators and staff were gathered to celebrate this milestone.

 During the event, following opening remarks delivered by the ANCC, MP Harold Albrecht (Former Chair of the Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group), MP Arnold Chan (Current Chair of the Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group), MP Alexandre Boulerice (Vice Chair of the Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group) and His Excellency Armen Yeganian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in Canada offered their congratulatory messages.

 A special speech was delivered in both French and English by Syrian-Armenian student, Karen Seraydarian, who settled in Canada two years ago and is now a senior student at Montreal’s Sourp Hagop Armenian School. After speaking about her family’s experience fleeing the Syrian Civil War, she expressed her sincere gratitude to the Government of Canada for giving her family and thousands of other families the opportunity to settle in Canada.