Seyran Ohanyan, who heads the Armenian parliament’s opposition Hayastan faction, today met with Special Envoy of Canada to the European Union and Europe Stéphane Dion to discuss a Canadian government program to support democracy in Armenia.

The Canadian government, last June, announced that Dion will lead a mission that “will examine options as to how Canada can encourage the ongoing efforts of Armenian civil society, strengthen democratic institutions, grow Armenia’s engagement with multilateral institutions, and promote inclusive economic growth.”

Ohanyan, a former Armenian defense minister, and Dion’s delegation discussed plans to establish a staff in the Armenian parliament that is non-partisan and can work equally for the government and opposition.

Dion has already met with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and is scheduled to meet with senior members of Armenia’s government and key departments, as well as with partner embassies, civil society groups, international organizations, private sector representatives and local media.

Diplomatic relations between Canada and the Republic of Armenia were formally established in 1992.