Rideau Hall, Wednesday, April 9, 2014

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It was in December 2012 that Sharon and I had the pleasure of being in Peru on a State visit, and meeting with you, Excellency, as well as your wife, to talk about the friendship our two countries enjoy. Today, we have the opportunity to reciprocate your warm hospitality, and we welcome you to Rideau Hall and to Canada.

While in your country, we were able to meet with Peruvians and to discover how we are partnering in many diverse ways. But it was also a chance to discuss our potential for even further collaboration.

I am pleased to see that our ties continue to grow. Since our visit to your country, we have seen many high-profile visits between our two nations, including one from the Prime Minister of Canada, as well as the announcement of a number of agreements and partnerships.

Canada and Peru collaborate in regional fora, such as the Organization of American States and the Summit of the Americas, as well as in economic integration initiatives, like the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Pacific Alliance.

I am also pleased to note that you will be hosting the Pan Am Games in 2019, four years after the games come to Canada. We look forward to welcoming your athletes in 2015 and to sharing our own experiences with you as you prepare to showcase your country to the world.

There are so many other areas in which we are partnering, including defence, development, trade, economic growth and regional stability. Each area underscores how our people are working together to foster a lasting friendship that will benefit both our nations.

Let me focus, though, on one aspect that is close to my heart, and I know to yours.

Education has always been important to me. Excellency, as you know, I spent my entire career in academia before becoming governor general. But even as a student, I recognized the importance of learning across borders, of searching out new experiences and finding out about different cultures. It is something that I have talked about frequently, including while I was in Peru.

In education—one of the key components of our growing relationship—Canada and Peru are willing partners. Our country is proud to be active in education projects in your country, which in turn improves the chance of success for Peruvians and Canadians.

You are continually opening your doors to our institutions and students, some of whom are with us this evening. You are dedicated to sharing knowledge. I am thankful for this because as much as we have in common and as much as our relationship has grown, we still have so much we can do together. And it starts with learning as much as possible from each other.

As you begin your visit to Canada, I hope that you will also take the opportunity to see as much as you can and to speak with the many Canadians who are excited to work with your country.

During our own State visit, I said that we were cementing an already strong bond. With your visit, we continue to build on trust, trade, education and our growing defense collaboration, as well as all the other aspects of our mutually respectful relationship.

And now, please join me in raising a glass to the people of both our countries and to our friendship, which I believe can set an example for the world.