Canada increases assistance for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents  to $3.9 million - Melanie Joly

ArmInfo.Canada stands with the Armenian people, promoting their independence and sovereignty.  Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated on October 25 during a briefing following negotiations with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

"We believe in your democratic aspirations and are ready to help make  them a reality. Today is an important day in relations between our  countries - I am pleased to announce that we will open the Canadian  Embassy in Yerevan today," the Canadian minister noted, adding that  the establishment of a diplomatic representation will help strengthen  relations between the two countries and further stimulate democratic  reforms.

At the same time, the minister noted that Ottawa highly appreciates  Armenia's current efforts aimed at establishing regional peace.  "However, we all believe that even more needs to be done," the  Canadian Foreign Minister said.

In the context of current efforts, Joly called for full respect for  the territorial integrity of Armenia, reaffirming and strictly  observing the principle of no use or threat of force.

"Canada continues to call on Azerbaijan to respect the right of  recently deported Armenians from Artsakh to return to their homes,  and to demonstrate good will to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access  to Nagorno-Karabakh to ensure the safe return of ethnic Armenians,"  the Minister said.

The Canadian Foreign Minister noted that they continue to work to  mitigate the consequences of this unjustified military aggression for  civilians, since they have already felt the negative consequences of  the illegal blockade that lasted more than 9 months. She added that  Canada continues its efforts to find ways to bring lasting peace to  the region.

"Today, more than ever, it is important that Canada and the whole  world show their support for the Armenian people, the descendants of  the survivors of the 1915 genocide, as well as those who were  recently forced to leave Nagorno-Karabakh," Joly said, adding that  she visited the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex today and paid  tribute to the memory of the 1.5 million innocent victims of the  Genocide.

She also reported that Canada has increased humanitarian assistance  to those who recently left Artsakh, bringing this amount to $3.9  million (Previously it was reported about $1.3 million - approx. ed.  note).  According to her, this amount includes the allocation of 1  million dollars to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner  for Refugees (UNHCR) to save lives, 2.5 million will be sent to the  International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to alleviate  suffering and provide care for those who needs it.

"Tomorrow I will leave for Jermuk to see with my own eyes the  consequences of the humanitarian crisis, where I will meet with  deported citizens and with the heads of local governments. We must  work together to improve the lives of those civilians who for many  centuries considered this region their homeland," Canadian Foreign  Minister concluded.