Lebanon

On Sunday the 17th of May 2009, His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX Catholicos Patriach of Cilicia for the Armenian Catholics received in the Armenian catholic Patriarchate Canada’s current Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Mr. Jason Kenney. The Minister was accompanied by Canada’s ambassador to Lebanon Louis De Lorimier, head of the visa and immigration department and Canadian executive assistant. During the meeting the parish priest of Our Lady of Annunciation church father Vartan Kazandjian was also present.

The center of the conversation was the current political situation in Lebanon in view of regional happenings and local elections.

This visit was also an occasion to talk about the Armenian community in Canada. Having close ties to the Canadian Armenians, the Minister expressed his great appreciation of the important role that they have always played in the prosperity and progress of the country, by remaining close to their traditions and culture but always adjusting to the conditions set by the host country.

At the end of the meeting, His Beatitude thanked the Minister for his visit, appreciating the efforts poured by Canada for reassuring Lebanon’s solidarity and stability. His Beatitude also presented his guest Naregatsi’s french version of the "Book of Lamentations”.