Presentation of Letters of Credence

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.

The Governor General received the letters of credence of seven new heads of mission during a ceremony at the Residence of the Governor General at the Citadelle of Québec. Letters of credence are the official documents by which new heads of diplomatic missions are presented by their head of State as their official representative.

Her Excellency Souriya Otmani, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, was the first to present her letters of credence to the Governor General.

She was followed by His Excellency Akylbek Kamaldinov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Governor General then received the letters of credence of His Excellency Vasilios Philippou, High Commissioner for the Republic of Cyprus.

His Excellency Roger Julien Menga, Ambassador of the Republic of Congo, was next to present his letters of credence.

Next, the Governor General received the letters of credence of His Excellency Alphayo Japani Kidata, High Commissioner for the United Republic of Tanzania.

His Excellency Roberto Rafael Max Rodriguez Arnillas, Ambassador of the Republic of Peru, then presented his letters of credence.

Her Excellency Svetlana Sashova Stoycheva-Etropolski, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria, was last to present her letters of credence.