Presentation of Credentials (Kingdom of Morocco, United
Arab Emirates, Republic of Korea, Republic of Suriname)

Rideau Hall, Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Welcome to Rideau Hall, under the auspices of the Thunderbird and the spirit of our Aboriginal ancestors, of the many peoples who are our deepest roots in this country.

In this magnificent and striking painting by one of Canada’s greatest Ojibway artists, Norval Morrisseau, is expressed the genius of those peoples who were the first to inhabit the vast stretches of forests and lakes, mountains and plains, snow and ice that cover the Canadian landscape.

All forms of life are interconnected, from the infinitely small to the infinitely large. That is what I take away from this painting and what the ancient wisdom of the Aboriginal peoples tells us.

This message is now louder than ever, as the world’s economies work to overcome the current economic crisis.

This crisis is having serious repercussions, not only from a financial point of view, but from a human and social perspective as well.

Some of the most vulnerable are being hit especially hard.

To make matters worse, the world is also facing a food crisis, an energy and resource crisis, and serious environmental issues.

The common thread running through all of these challenges is that their scope extends around the planet and that they affect the entire world.

We have a responsibility to the countries and peoples we represent: to work together to find common solutions to the problems we are all facing.

Humanity is at a turning point in its history, and we now have the opportunity to do things differently by adopting not only a more global approach, but a more collaborative approach as well.

It goes without saying that now more than ever before, we need to build on the ties and values that bind us to one another.

It is in this spirit of solidarity, and with a desire to engage in a more human diplomacy, that I set out on each of my State visits abroad.

In 2006, I travelled to the continent of my ancestors. Morocco was the last stop on a journey of hope through Africa that also took me to Algeria, Mali, Ghana and South Africa.

Ambassador Chekrouni, Canada and Morocco maintain excellent relations, due in large part to the presence within our borders of a dynamic Moroccan community that adds to the prosperity and vitality of our country.

Our countries also belong to the extended family of La Francophonie and share not only a deep attachment to the French language, but also the values of peace, freedom, equality and openness that La Francophonie passionately defends.

Moreover, we are delighted that a woman of such commitment, a pioneer of female representation in the House of Representatives of Morocco, has been appointed as ambassador to Canada. We look forward to working with you, as we did with your predecessor, to strengthen the ties between our two countries.

Ambassador Al Ghafli, Canada also shares the hope of peace, stability and prosperity with the United Arab Emirates.

The 700 or so youth from your country who come each year to study at Canadian universities represent for me the promise of a stronger dialogue between our citizens.

In terms of commerce, our exports have grown, and an increasing number of Canadian entrepreneurs are forging ties with business people from the Emirates.

This certainly bodes well for the future and should result in productive partnerships in a number of areas of co-operation.

For Canada, the United Arab Emirates is a leading partner in the Gulf, and we are confident that your posting will further solidify our relations.

Welcome, Excellency, and may your posting to Canada prove fruitful for both of our federations.

In Asia, Canada counts the Republic of Korea as one of its key partners.

Ambassador Ha, our two countries have had a very close relationship for nearly half a century; the ties that bind us together rest on a solid foundation of economic and political co-operation.

And we are more determined than ever to reinforce those ties, particularly in the areas of commerce and investment, culture, people-to-people co-operation and policy.

As members of the G20, our two countries are working very closely on turning the global economy around and increasing confidence in the international financial system. Our hope is nothing short of prosperity for all of the peoples of the world.

We are also pursuing common objectives in other priority areas, including climate change and security.

Without a doubt, the presence of a growing number of Canadians of Korean origin, combined with the presence of Korean students studying at our universities, is helping to build bridges between us and facilitate co-operation in several areas.

Ambassador Kross, Suriname and Canada are bound by a common history and by our belonging to the Americas.

On this land of such incredible diversity, in which our first peoples put down deep roots, a land that has been enriched by others who have come from the four corners of the Earth, we have managed to build societies that draw their strength from the diversity for which they are known.

It is no surprise, then, that Canada has made collaboration throughout the Americas a priority and that it is important to us to forge even stronger ties with Suriname.

I have been told that Canada’s minister of State of Foreign Affairs had a very productive visit to your country, one that has furthered our collaboration, and I could not be more pleased.

Rest assured, Excellencies, that Canada is looking forward to working with all of you, in a spirit of sharing and openness, to forge partnerships that will bring prosperity 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 hope to see you again very soon and to hear your ideas for bringing our peoples together at the tête-à-tête that we will have in a moment.

Thank you. To friendship and to solidarity! I look forward to speaking with you and to getting to know you better.