Canada Expands Diplomatic Ties with Armenia: Historic Embassy Inaugurated in Yerevan

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly marks Canada's unwavering commitment to Armenia's territorial integrity during her visit to Yerevan on Wednesday, marking the official opening of the Canadian Embassy in the Armenian capital. The inauguration ceremony, attended by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, saw the hoisting of the Canadian flag outside an office building that will serve as the embassy's headquarters.

Canada's decision to establish the embassy, announced in June 2022, aims to strengthen bilateral ties with Armenia, particularly in the wake of significant global shifts resulting from the Russian-Ukraine conflict. This diplomatic move is part of Canada's strategy to counter Russia's destabilizing activities in the region, a decision that drew criticism from Moscow, with Russia accusing the West of displaying an "arrogant attitude" toward other nations.

During her discussions with Armenian leaders, Minister Joly received warm appreciation for Canada's principled stance. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called the embassy's opening as a "remarkable event for our bilateral relations," emphasizing the shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law that underpin the Canada-Armenia relationship.

One of the key points of discussion was Canada's recent involvement in a monitoring mission initiated by the European Union along Armenia's border with Azerbaijan. Ottawa announced its participation in July, stating that two Canadian experts would be deployed as third-party contributors to the mission. Minister Joly emphasized Canada's call for the full respect of Armenia's territorial integrity and stressed the importance of adhering strictly to the principle of non-use of force, indirectly alluding to the potential threat posed by Azerbaijan following its military offensive in Artsakh in September.

Addressing concerns over a possible Azerbaijani invasion, Minister Joly asserted that all options, including sanctions, were on the table. This statement aligns with Canada's firm condemnation of the Azerbaijani offensive, which led to the displacement of the majority of Nagorno-Karabakh's Armenian population. Ottawa has also approved additional humanitarian aid for the displaced Armenians, emphasizing their right to return to their homes once conditions allow.

Canada's stance on arms exports to the region was also reiterated during the discussions. In response to the 2020 Armenian-Azerbaijani war, Canada suspended drone technology exports to Turkey and later imposed a complete ban in 2021. The embargo came after investigations confirmed that Turkish-manufactured Bayraktar TB2 combat drones, extensively used by the Azerbaijani military, incorporated imaging and targeting systems made by a Canada-based company. Despite criticism from Ankara, Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding regional stability and peace.

The inauguration of the Canadian Embassy in Yerevan signals a new chapter in the Canada-Armenia relationship, affirming Canada's support for Armenia's sovereignty and the enduring friendship between the two nations. The diplomatic engagement also reflects Canada's dedication to promoting peace, security, and the well-being of the Armenian people.