I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 79 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders, and therefore members are attending in person in the room as well as remotely by using the Zoom application.
I'd like to make a few comments for the benefit of members and witnesses.
Before speaking, please do wait until I recognize you by name. You may speak in the official language of your choice. Interpretation services are available. Although this room is equipped with a powerful audio system, feedback events can occur. These can be extremely harmful to the interpreters and can cause serious injuries. The most common cause, I will remind members, for sound feedback is the earpiece being placed too close to a microphone.
With regard to a speaking list, the committee clerk and I will do our best to maintain a consolidated order of speaking for all members, whether they are participating virtually or in person. In accordance with the committee's routine motion concerning connection tests for witnesses, I am informing committee members that all witnesses appearing virtually have completed the required connection tests in advance of our meeting.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motions adopted by the committee on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, and Wednesday, January 18, 2023, the committee is resuming its study of security at the borders between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
I'd like to now welcome our witnesses.
We are very privileged and happy to have with us, from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, our first ambassador to Armenia, His Excellency Andrew Turner, by video conference.
In addition, in the room, we're grateful to have Robert Sinclair, senior Arctic official and director general, Arctic, Eurasian, and European Affairs.
Welcome, Mr. Ambassador. It's a great honour to have you with us here today.
For your opening remarks, you have five minutes.
The floor is yours before we turn to questions from members.
Thank you.