OTTAWA–Canadian Member of Parliament Sarkis Assadourian representing Brampton Centre held a series of meetings Thursday with diplomatic representatives from France–Russia and the United States (co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and signatories to the Denver Declaration)–to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Assadourian met with the diplomatic representatives in his Parliament Hill office to express the deep concern of the Canadian-Armenian community that a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict must be negotiated.
Assadourian expressed the view that a solution to the on-going conflict must not be imposed by international forces–but rather that there be an increased opportunity for all groups–including opposition parties within the region–to express their concerns and offer their suggestions for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Commenting on the meetings Assadourian said–"I believe that the only lasting solution to the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh lies in the direction of creating a climate where direct horizontal negotiations between the opposing forces (Armenia–Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh) can take place. International dictates will not provide a lasting solution. Only by negotiating and arriving at a consensus can a durable peace in the region be arrived at."
Prior to the meetings with the foreign diplomats Assadourian met with the Department of Foreign Affairs to be briefed on the up-to-the-minute position of the Canadian Government regarding Nagorno-Karabakh and expressed the concerns of the Canadian-Armenian community to see that a lasting resolution to the conflict will soon be found.