Foreign Affairs Committee on Jan. 31st, 2023

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Good afternoon, everyone.

Welcome to meeting number 46 of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.

Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of June 23, 2022. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.

I'd like to make a few comments for the benefit of the members and our witness today.

Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mike and please remember to mute yourselves when you are not speaking. Interpretation for those on Zoom is at the bottom of your screen and you have the choice of either floor, English or French audio.

Today, we are resuming our study of the security at the borders of Azerbaijan and Armenia.

It is my great pleasure to welcome today, from the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia, Her Excellency Madam Harutyunyan, ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Canada.

I should also mention that we also extended an invitation to the Azerbaijani embassy here, and to Baku as well, but unfortunately they were not available.

Madam Ambassador, you will have five minutes for your opening remarks.

Mr. Bergeron.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Mr. Chair, I don’t mean to be difficult, but you told us he was not available.

Is that the reason you were given to explain why the chargé d’affaires for Azerbaijan is not here? If not, were other reasons given by the chargé d’affaires for Azerbaijan to explain why he’s not appearing before the committee?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

I was informed, Mr. Bergeron, that a request had been sent to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but no instructions had been received here in Ottawa.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Did you receive the answer from the Azerbaijani embassy verbally, over the phone, or was a note sent to us?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

There was a conversation. I had a conversation on Friday as well as yesterday. I just wanted to receive an update as to whether any instructions had been received from Baku, but I was informed that nothing had been received as of yet.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Consequently, the chargé d’affaires did not feel authorized to appear before the committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

No. He had sent them a request that someone be made available, but he had not received any instructions in return.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Did the chargé d’affaires know that today, the study is not focusing specifically on the Lachin corridor, but on the general state of affairs between Armenia and Azerbaijan?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

What I can tell you is that I specifically informed him of that. I highlighted the reality that this is a study that we had decided upon prior to the motion you tabled, and that it would be focused on the situation at the Azerbaijani-Armenian borders.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

I’d like to ask one last question, Mr. Chair.

Would be possible to know when we sent an invitation to the Azerbaijani embassy? Was it sent before Christmas or last week?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

I'm sorry. You were cutting out, Mr. Bergeron. I couldn't hear what your question was.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Mr. Chair, I was simply asking you if the invitation was sent before Christmas or just recently.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Whether the invitation had been sent before...? Yes, that's correct.

No, I think it was in mid-January.

I just checked with the clerk and she rightly points out that, as you are well aware, we were not aware as to what our schedule would be going forward for this session. Previously we were on Mondays, and we are now on Tuesdays.

The clerk rightfully decided not to send out that invitation until mid-January, when it was confirmed what our schedule would be going forward.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Mr. Hoback.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

I was wondering if we could ask—I'm not sure if it's appropriate—the ambassador, if they choose not to attend, to give us reasons.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

I'm not sure whether that would be appropriate. What I can—

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Mr. Oliphant, maybe you can provide guidance on this. Is that appropriate, or not?

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

I don't think we can compel any witness, especially a foreign representative.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

We can, but we shouldn't. I was just seeking your advice for the committee here.

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

I think it's their choice as to whether or not they want to appear. I'd be advising them to appear to tell their story.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Yes, I agree.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Mr. Hoback, obviously that does not preclude you from inquiring yourself, if you so wish.

Yes, Ms. McPherson.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Could we ask if they'd be willing to submit a written explanation of their position?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

I don't think that's appropriate. We don't generally do that. It has happened on numerous occasions in the past that we have extended an invitation, and unfortunately—for a wide variety of reasons—witnesses have not appeared before us.

What we could do perhaps is to inquire whether they would like to make a written submission. Is that okay?