Rideau Hall, Tuesday, April 19, 2017

What a privilege to welcome you to Rideau Hall and to Canada today.

This is a small ceremony, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in significance!

Diplomacy is of great importance in this complex, interconnected world.  At its best, diplomacy brings people together. It bridges differences. It builds on the strengths of nations, rather than dividing by weaknesses.

That’s the kind of diplomacy Canada seeks to engage in with the countries you represent, and I thank you both for being here.

Ambassador Taffuri, it gives me great pleasure to extend greetings to you as Italy’s representative to Canada. I understand this is your first ambassadorship, so please accept my congratulations and best wishes. You have held numerous diplomatic positions in your career, and we look forward to your contribution to building the relationship between our two countries. I wish you the very best as you settle into your new home.

Italy and Canada share a great deal in our approach to global and regional issues. Our links are based on common values, deep economic, cultural and diplomatic relations, as well as very strong people-to-people ties.

In fact, some 1.5 million Canadians are of Italian origin, and Italian-Canadians have made immeasurable contributions to Canada. As members of the UN, NATO, the G7, we are partners in the world, and Canada looks forward to continued co-operation with Italy in the years to come.

Ambassador Stacey, I note this is your second visit to Canada, so allow me to warmly welcome you back to our country. Having held postings on four continents over the course of a long and distinguished career, you will make a strong contribution to relations between Ecuador and Canada. Your background as a professor of law and diplomacy also gives us something in common, as I served as professor and dean of law in my previous career in post-secondary education. I’m certain you will thrive here in Canada, and I wish you all the best with your new assignment.

Our official relationship between Ecuador and Canada dates back to 1960. Today, our ties continue to grow in the commercial, political and cultural spheres, as well as in our people-to-people ties.

Some notable exchanges are also taking place in education, science and technology. Bilateral trade stands at almost $650 million annually, and we hope to continue this exchange with the aim of creating prosperity for all citizens. Let us seize this opportunity to deepen the co-operation that exists between Canada and Ecuador.

To you both: congratulations once again on your new roles and thank you for your commitment to working with Canada. As you know, 2017 marks the 150th birthday of our country, so your timing is very good! You are very welcome here, so let us work together in a spirit of partnership and co-operation.

I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Thank you.