The Citadelle, Quebec, Thursday, October 3, 2013

Welcome, all of you, to the Citadelle for this presentation of credentials. And allow me as well to welcome you to Canada!

You have all been chosen by your respective nations to represent the ideals of your homeland in this country. In addition, you have been given the responsibility of getting to know your new home for the next few years.

I think you will find Canada both welcoming and eager to work together on multiple platforms.

All of you well know the important role diplomacy plays. It is vital that we communicate with each other our expectations and our wishes for our people. In this way, we will create better chances for our citizens to succeed and build a fairer, more just world for subsequent generations.

Ambassador Dung, I know that you and your family will enjoy living and working in Canada. As we celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries, I have every confidence that your posting here will allow us to collaborate further in areas such as innovation and education.

I remember fondly my State visit to Vietnam two years ago. While there, I was able to meet with so many Vietnamese people who were building a stronger and better country, as well as Canadian expatriates who were investing in Vietnam’s future. There are so many possibilities for partnerships in the coming years, and I thank you for your efforts to strengthen our already solid relationship.

Ambassador Goutondji, I hope that you will take the opportunity while in Canada to travel across this nation. Our country is as vast as it is diverse, and I know that you will find warm and welcoming Canadians who are willing and able to discuss how our two countries can further our ties.

I was delighted to meet with President Boni Yayi during his visit to Canada earlier this year. We spoke on our robust relationship and the potential we have for increased trade. I look forward to strengthened bonds between Benin and Canada during your stay in our country.

Ambassador Coninsx, you well know the importance of diplomacy in our globalized world, having had several overseas postings throughout your career. You also have the advantage of having studied in many of the countries in the European Union. The very fact that you have seen and experienced so much will be of great value to your new role in Canada and to the future of our relationship.

Canada and the European Union have much to celebrate, not least of which is the fact that you represent our second-largest trade and investment partner and like-minded friend in the region. In addition, Canada is pleased to note our co-operation in numerous international fora and our mutual support of such values as democracy and the rule of law. Yet, even though our ties our strong, there is so much potential for further growth. Your time in this country will no doubt lead to increased opportunities for Canada and the EU to work together.

Once again, I welcome all of you to Canada, and I urge you to discover what it is about this country that makes it, as I like to say, a smart and caring nation.

Thank you.