Prime Minister of the Netherlands to visit Canada
October 16, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, will visit Ottawa on October 25, 2018.
Canada and the Netherlands share a rich history and deep friendship rooted in decades of cooperation and generations of people-to-people bonds.
During their meeting, Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Rutte will underline our countries’ common commitment to build economies that benefit everyone, promote international peace and security, champion free trade, advance gender equality, and fight climate change. They will also explore how to further leverage the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which is creating good jobs, growth for the middle class, and new opportunities for people and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.
Prime Minister Trudeau will then host a lunch with Prime Minister Rutte and representatives from Canadian and Dutch companies to identify opportunities for increased trade and collaboration between our two countries.
The two leaders – who have both worked as teachers – will then take part in a town hall event with local high school students. They will discuss the importance of education, civic engagement, and how best to prepare for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
During his visit, Prime Minister Rutte will deliver an address to Parliament. This will be the first time that a Dutch prime minister addresses the Canadian Parliament. He will also lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the presence of Canadian veterans who served during WWII.
Quote
“Canada and the Netherlands are dear friends who share a rich history, common values, and many shared goals. I look forward to meeting again with Prime Minister Rutte to deepen our friendship and advance the good work we are already doing to create new opportunities for Canadians and Dutch alike.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Rutte last met during the NATO Summit in Brussels, Belgium, in July 2018.
- In 1988, the Queen of the Netherlands, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix, addressed the Canadian Parliament.
- Canada and the Netherlands share a dynamic and forward-looking relationship, based on common values, and a rich military and royal history. Today, about one million people of Dutch origin reside in Canada.
- The Netherlands and Canada are active members of the UN, WTO, NATO, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the various international judicial institutions headquartered in The Hague. The two countries also work together in various multilateral peace and security operations, including the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, NATO’s Enhanced Foreign Presence in the Baltics and the Global Coalition against Daesh in Iraq.
- In 2017, Canada's merchandise exports to the Netherlands totaled $3.1 billion and merchandise imports from the Netherlands reached over $4 billion, making the Netherlands Canada's fifth-largest merchandise trading partner in the EU.
- In 2017, Canadian direct investment in the Netherlands was valued at $32 million and Dutch direct investment in Canada was valued at nearly $92 million.
Associated Links
- Canada-Netherlands Relations
- Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
- The Prime Minister concludes a successful visit to Armenia and his participation at the XVII Francophonie Summit
October 13, 2018
Yerevan, Armenia
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau concluded his official visit to Armenia, where he also took part in the XVII Francophonie Summit.
At the Summit, together with the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada’s continued commitment to the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) and its values, including peace, democracy, gender equality, inclusion, and respect for rights and freedoms.
The Prime Minister had discussions with his counterparts from various Francophonie member countries on issues related to the Summit’s theme, “Living together in solidarity, shared humanistic values and respect for diversity: a source of peace and prosperity in La Francophonie.” During the discussions, he emphasized the importance of working together to address shared challenges, including building economies that benefit everyone, fighting climate change, and strengthening democratic institutions.
In line with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, the Prime Minister also announced that the Government of Canada will contribute $43 million to support international assistance projects in several African countries, including Mali, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These funds will help advance women’s empowerment, promote sexual and reproductive rights, and increase access to sexual and reproductive health services.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the exceptional work of Secretary General Michaëlle Jean as head of La Francophonie. He underscored her many achievements, serving as a strong voice for women and girls and as an advocate for young people and human rights. The Prime Minister also congratulated the new Secretary General of the OIF, Louise Mushikiwabo, who will officially take office in 2019.
The Prime Minister also spoke with Quebec’s premier-designate François Legault. The two leaders agreed to work together to address common challenges, attract foreign investment, and create new opportunities for all Canadians.
The Prime Minister announced that the OIF members adopted the Francophonie strategy for the promotion of gender equality and the rights and empowerment of women and girls. Canada took a leadership role in developing this strategy, which will make gender equality a priority in La Francophonie’s work in the coming years. At the Summit, members also reached a consensus in favour of the seven new applications for membership in the OIF, namely Ireland, Malta, Gambia, and Louisiana, which requested observer status, and Kosovo, Serbia, and the United Arab Emirates, which requested associate membership.
During his official bilateral visit, Prime Minister Trudeau met with Armen Sarkissian, President of the Republic of Armenia, and Nikol Pashinyan, Armenian Prime Minister, to further strengthen the strong relationship between Canada and Armenia. The leaders discussed their intention to begin talks on expanding air services between Canada and Armenia, which would facilitate travel, tourism, and trade, and strengthen the ties between the people in both countries.
Prime Minister Trudeau also launched the Arnold Chan Initiative for Democracy in Armenia. He made the announcement in the company of Member of Parliament Jean Yip, in memory of her husband, Member of Parliament Arnold Chan, who passed away last year and was the former co-leader of the Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group. The initiative will help develop democratic institutions and strengthen the democratic process in Armenia. It will also support various projects aimed at protecting the right to education and the empowerment of women and girls, encouraging young people’s participation in the democratic process, and promoting the sustainable development of communities through environmental education.
Quotes
“Canada is a proud member of the International Organisation of La Francophonie and will continue to work actively to promote and protect the French language and francophone culture. At this year’s Summit, we made significant progress to advance our shared values of peace, democracy, inclusion, diversity, gender equality, and respect for human rights.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada“I was very pleased to meet the President and the Prime Minister of Armenia during my official visit. We had productive discussions and showcased the close ties between our two countries. Canada will continue to support Armenia’s efforts to strengthen its democratic progress.”
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada“Canada's commitment to La Francophonie runs deep and is rooted in the French language and the values we share. An integral part of that means promoting peace, democracy, and human rights – and we will never stop defending those values. As Minister responsible for La Francophonie, my mandate is to defend, strengthen, and promote our official language communities, and the French language throughout the world. That is why, as part of the XVII Francophonie Summit, and with support from France and other partners, Canada is committed to support dynamic francophone culture and protect its place in the digital world in a meaningful way.”
—The Hon. Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La FrancophonieQuick facts
- The International Organisation of La Francophonie is made up of 84 member states and governments; of these, 54 are full members, 4 are associate members, and 26 are observers.
- Armenia joined the International Organisation of La Francophonie in 2004 as an observer, and became an associate member in 2008.
- Armenia obtained full member status in the IOF in 2012.
- The 18th Francophonie Summit will take place in Tunis, Tunisia, and will coincide with celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of La Francophonie.
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Associated links
- Prime Minister Trudeau meets with President Déby Itno of Chad
October 12, 2018
Yerevan, Armenia
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Idriss Déby Itno, President of the Republic of Chad, on the margins of the XVII Summit of La Francophonie in Yerevan, Armenia.
The Prime Minister and the President discussed the importance of empowerment of women and girls, including through access to education, ending child, early and forced marriage and greater participation in all aspects of public life.
The two leaders also discussed the security situation in the Sahel and the Canadian contribution to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister Antoni Martí Petit of Andorra
October 12, 2018
Yerevan, Armenia
Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Prime Minister Antoni Martí Petit on the margins of the Summit of La Francophonie in Yerevan, Armenia.
The two leaders shared perspectives on key issues facing la Francophonie and looked forward to cooperating on efforts to strengthen the organization.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Martí Petit committed to deepening relations between Canada and Andorra and finding new avenues of collaboration on shared interests. - Prime Minister Trudeau meets with Président Keïta of Mali
October 12, 2018
Yerevan, ArmeniaPrime Minister Trudeau met today with President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta of the Republic of Mali on the margins of the Francophonie Summit in Yerevan.The Prime Minister congratulated President Keïta on his recent election and encouraged transparency for the upcoming legislative elections later this year.The two leaders also exchanged views on regional security challenges, with the Prime Minister reaffirming Canada’s engagement through its contribution to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). They discussed progress made on the 2015 Peace Agreement, noting the need for continued positive momentum.The Prime Minister and President welcomed the longstanding bilateral relationship between Canada and Mali, which in 2019 will mark 50 years of diplomatic relations.
