Presentation of Credentials (United Mexican States, Malaysia,
Republic of Seychelles, Republic of Cape Verde)

Rideau Hall, Thursday, February 26, 2009

I am delighted to welcome you, your families and your delegations to Rideau Hall.

These days, everyone seems to be talking about one form of crisis or another: if it’s not an economic crisis, it’s a humanitarian crisis, a food crisis or an environmental crisis.

What is so significant is the magnitude of these crises that extend well beyond regional or national borders. The challenges they raise now concern the entire world.

And what these crises bring to light, I believe, is the need for the peoples of the world 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.

The “‌fend for yourself” mentality no longer has any place in a world that is experiencing unprecedented openness.

Now more than ever before, we need to build on the ties and values that bind us to one another. Which is why your work as ambassadors and high commissioners is vitally important.

Ambassador Barrio Terrazas, the friendship between Canada and the United Mexican States is a perfect example.

We are bound by a history and by our belonging to this continent of such incredible diversity.

We are bound by a shared commitment to develop common positions and to promote the values we cherish. Values such as the rule of law, respect for human dignity, equality between women and men, freedom of speech and the responsibility to act, good governance and sustainable development.

The Canada-Mexico Partnership plays a significant role in this.

I believe that this partnership has given new momentum to both the public and private co-operation between our countries, particularly with respect to business, good governance and education.

Together with the United States, we make up one of the largest free trade areas in the world. 

From a purely economic standpoint, our countries collaborate through such organizations as the World Trade Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

It is clear that our countries are partners of choice for one another in the western hemisphere—for example, as part of the Americas Strategy—as well as on the world stage.

And I have no doubt that this productive relationship will only grow stronger in the future.

High Commissioner Selwyn Das, Canada is also delighted by the close relationship that it has maintained with Malaysia for over half a century.

Malaysia represents a key partner for our country in Southeast Asia, one with which we share a commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

We are pleased with the vitality of the trade relations between our two countries, to say nothing of the ties our populations have forged over the years.

Each year, nearly 40 000 Canadians visit Malaysia. Moreover, I am told that some 75 000 Malaysians hold a diploma from a Canadian academic institution and that many Malaysians travel to Canada to pursue their studies.

This, to me, speaks volumes of the nature and scope of our collaboration.

Canada and Malaysia work side by side within the framework of international organizations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, in addition to the Commonwealth, an extended family that also includes the Republic of Seychelles.

The Seychelles and Canada are also members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, which Canada welcomed to the City of Québec last fall for the XII^e Sommet.

Ambassador Jumeau, we are proud that the Seychelles are a part of these two large international bodies.

And we hope that our collaboration will continue.

Excellency, the Seychelles are home to a biodiversity that is beyond compare and to lush vegetation and extraordinary wildlife, including plant, tree and animal species that, I am told, are unique to your archipelago.

It is no surprise that environmental issues are central to your concerns and that you yourself have been a leader in this regard.

I would like to applaud the efforts of the Seychelles to combat the effects of climate change on island-states and States made up of several islands.

The Seychelles and the Republic of Cape Verde share this insularity, and I am certain that they face similar realities.

And like the Seychelles and Canada, Cape Verde also joined the extended family of La Francophonie, and I have just learned, Excellency, that you helped to ensure that your country took part in the Organisation’s objectives when you worked for the Commission nationale de la Francophonie.

Canada and Cape Verde share not only a commitment to promoting La Francophonie throughout the world, but also core values, notably democracy and improving the lives of women.

Furthermore, Cape Verde is a model of stability and democracy in Africa, and Canada could not be more pleased.

Excellency, I am delighted that a woman has been appointed ambassador of the Republic of Cape Verde, first in Cuba and now in the United States, with accreditation in Canada, to say nothing of the important role that you played as a representative of your country to the United Nations. Your appointment bodes well for the future.

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.

Thank you. To friendship and to solidarity!