On October 21, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, joined by leaders of the Armenian National Committee of Canada, met with The Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, during an official visit to Ottawa.
His Holiness was accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Papken Tcharian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada; Raffi Donabedian, Canadian delegate to the World Assembly of the Holy See of Cilicia and representative of the Armenian National Committee (ANC) International and; Khoren Dimitian, Chairman of the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC); as well as members of the clergy and the executive council of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada.
During the meeting, His Holiness and the accompanying delegation expressed their gratitude to the Prime Minister for his leadership, friendship, and engagement with the Armenian-Canadian community. His Holiness and his delegation raised several issues concerning the Armenian community, including the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia, the security, human rights and right of return of the people of Artsakh, the ongoing plight of Armenian prisoners and hostages arbitrarily held in Azerbaijan, and the urgent need to protect and preserve Armenian cultural and religious heritage under threat.
His Holiness also shared his reflections on the sociopolitical developments in the Middle East, highlighting the challenges faced by societies in the region amid shifting dynamics. He spoke about the need for stability, justice, and cooperation, while also emphasizing the importance of inter-religious dialogue and the protection of Christian and minority communities as essential elements of lasting peace and coexistence.
Prime Minister Carney and His Holiness exchanged views on these pressing matters, reaffirming the shared commitment of Canada and the Armenian people to the values of human rights, peace, and mutual respect.
The meeting marked a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue between Canada and the Armenian-Canadian community, underscoring the enduring relationship built on shared values and a common pursuit of justice and peace.