Presentation of Credentials (India,
Portugal, Uruguay, Yemen)

Rideau Hall, Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Excellencies, I am delighted to welcome you, your families and your delegations to Rideau Hall.

As a new year dawns, we begin to look to the future.

I recently returned from Haiti, where an already struggling population suffered even greater devastation under the relentless pounding of hurricanes this past year.

Having witnessed the aftermath for myself, I am more convinced than ever that we urgently need greater solidarity between us and throughout all of humanity.

The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, in which both Uruguay and Canada are participating, is a wonderful example of this. We are working together with other countries in the Americas to help our Haitian sisters and brothers break the devastating cycle of misery and dependency.

I see this spirit of brotherhood toward the Haitian people as the most powerful sign of the strong bonds that unite us across the continent, bonds that we must build on as never before.

Ambassador Delgado, Canada considers Uruguay’s contribution to MINUSTAH’s efforts essential to bringing security to Haiti.

Uruguay represents a key partner for our country in Latin America, one with which we share a commitment to human rights, freedom, justice and democracy.

Moreover, Uruguay is known for its active participation in UN peacekeeping missions, particularly those underway in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

I am so pleased to have this opportunity to congratulate Uruguay on the constructive role it plays on the world stage.

Canada is also delighted by the close relations it maintains with Portugal within a number of international organizations, be it the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, or the World Trade Organization.

Ambassador Moitinho de Almeida, I would like to thank you for Portugal’s support for strengthening the economic accord between Canada and the European Union, a key strategic partner for our country.

I am among those who believe that now more than ever before, we need to work together to arrive at common solutions to problems we are all facing.

Because the issues of today concern us all.

This reality was the topic of much discussion when I met with the leaders and members of civil society of the three Central European countries—Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic—that I visited during a State visit in November and December 2008.

Faced with the many crises troubling our world—economic, humanitarian, environmental, political crises—we cannot continue to each find our own solutions.

The “‌fend for yourself” mentality no longer has any place in a world that is experiencing unprecedented openness.

In that spirit, and in a spirit of solidarity with the people of Yemen, I would like to express to you, Ambassador Bahah, my best wishes and support, on behalf of all Canadians.

Let us remember that last October, Yemenites were devastated by severe flooding caused by torrential rains.

Canada wasted no time in assisting international organizations working with you to rebuild villages that had been decimated and to help the disaster victims.

Our thoughts are with your fellow citizens at this very difficult time.

This year, fate also dealt a cruel hand to India, particularly the city of Mumbai, where terrorist attacks left hundreds of victims in their wake.

Canada condemns those attacks, which it considers an affront to the values of freedom and democracy, so dear to our respective countries.

High Commissioner Gavai, our countries are linked not only by these values, but also by our membership in the Commonwealth and a friendship sustained by the members of a dynamic Indo-Canadian community.

The recent progress that we have made with respect to nuclear co-operation, agriculture and energy, to name but a few sectors, bodes well for the future and is a sign that we are coming together.

Rest assured, Excellencies, that Canada intends to work with all of you, in a spirit of sharing and openness, to forge partnerships that will bring prosperity and growth to our respective populations and to the entire world.

I have no doubt that each of you will inject new vigour into the trade, diplomatic, cultural and social relations between our countries.

On that note of friendship, I wish each and every one of you a very pleasant and enriching stay in Canada. Please convey to your loved ones and fellow citizens my best wishes for happiness and prosperity.

Thank you.