SYDNEY: Australian Member of Parliament, John Alexander MP welcomed Nagorno Karabakh Republic Member of Parliament, Davit Ishkhanyan to Australia's Parliament while he was on a visit with a delegation as part of Armenian National Committee of Australia Advocacy Week.
Alexander mentioned the 24th anniversary of Artsakh's Independence, and said: "With its significant majority of ethnic Armenians, it enjoys a democratic system of government and a commitment to human rights and free press that lies in stark contrast to its closest neighbour, Azerbaijan."
Alexander, the Member for Bennelong, also acknowledged Kaylar Michaelian, the newly-appointed Nagorno Karabakh Republic Representative to Australia, who was also part of the delegation.
He said: "Earlier today, I was fortunate to meet with a delegation including representatives from the Armenian National Committee and Mr Kaylar Michaelian, a former principal of Galstaun College, who has recently been appointed as the new permanent representative of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh to Australia."
"With them was Mr Davit Ishkhanyan, a member of the parliament from Nagorno-Karabakh, which is also known as Artsakh."
Alexander added: "This republic recently celebrated 24 years of independence."
The ANC Australia-led delegation, accompanied by Ishkhanyan and Michaelian, met with over 25 MPs over two days in the nation's capital, and raised awareness for the security of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh, as well as advocating for its Independence to be recognised.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF SPEECHThe Full Statement of Mr ALEXANDER (Bennelong) (13:37):Culturally diverse, Bennelong is the proud home of our nation's largest community of Armenian-Australians. This community may be comparatively small, but the positive contribution that they make is significant. From political representation—such as the New South Wales Treasurer, Gladys Berejiklian, and Ryde councillors Artin Etmekdjian and Sarkis Yedelian—through to local restaurant owners, accountants, lawyers and even my excellent car mechanic, the gentle, smart and honest character traits shared by so many Armenian-Australians pervades the Bennelong community.
Earlier today, I was fortunate to meet with a delegation including representatives from the Armenian National Committee and Mr Kaylar Michaelian, a former principal of Galstaun College, who has recently been appointed as the new permanent representative of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh to Australia. With them was Mr Davit Ishkhanyan, a member of the parliament from Nagorno-Karabakh, which is also known as Artsakh.
This republic recently celebrated 24 years of independence. With its significant majority of ethnic Armenians, it enjoys a democratic system of government and a commitment to human rights and free press that lies in stark contrast to its closest neighbour, Azerbaijan. I join many in hoping that a peaceful resolution can be found to the conflict in that region, and, on behalf of my constituents in Bennelong, I welcome Mr Ishkhanyan to our parliament. Welcome.
