Presentation of Credentials
Upon their arrival in Canada, and before they can carry out their duties as heads of mission, new ambassadors, as well as new high commissioners of countries for which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is not head of State, must be officially welcomed by the governor general of Canada. High commissioners representing countries for which The Queen is the head of State are formally introduced to the prime minister of Canada.
Tue, 08/27/2013 - 12:00 MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall GG2013-0363-001
A presentation of credentials from three new heads of mission took place on August 27, 2013, at Rideau Hall.
Tue, 08/27/2013 - 12:00 MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall GG2013-0363-002
The Governor General first received the credentials of Her Excellency Gita Kalmet, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia. Ambassador Kalmet is Estonia’s first ambassador to Canada, resident in Ottawa.
Tue, 08/27/2013 - 12:00 MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall GG2013-0363-006
"As governor general of this great country, I have the honour of officially welcoming heads of mission and foreign representatives to Canada," His Excellency stated. "It is a privilege to carry out this task. Diplomacy is so important in our globalized world, where communications, if not distances, are crossed in an instant and the value of dialogue cannot be underestimated."
Tue, 08/27/2013 - 12:00 MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall GG2013-0363-007
Credentials are the official documents by which new heads of diplomatic missions are presented by their head of State as their official representative. Currently, there are more than 170 heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Canada.
Tue, 08/27/2013 - 12:00 MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall GG2013-0363-010
The Governor General received the credentials of His Excellency Cees Kole, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Tue, 08/27/2013 - 12:00 MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall GG2013-0364-001
The Governor General received the credentials of His Excellency Niels Boel Abrahamsen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Tue, 08/27/2013 - 12:00 MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall GG2013-0365-001