The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that the Honourable Pablo Rodríguez, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, will visit Uruguay from February 29 to March 2, 2020, and will be in Argentina from March 2 to March 4.
In Uruguay, Minister Rodríguez will attend the inauguration ceremony of Luis Lacalle Pou, president-elect. Minister Rodríguez will also meet with government officials and local business leaders to discuss our countries’ common interests such as human rights, gender equality, peacekeeping and free, fair and balanced international trade.
In Argentina, Minister Rodríguez will meet with government officials, business leaders and representatives from the arts and civil society to highlight the strong and long-standing ties between Canada and Argentina, based on our shared commitment to the rules-based international order, universal human rights, gender equality and climate action.
As Canada pursues its candidacy for election to the United Nations Security Council, we will continue to work with our partners in the hemisphere to advance shared global interests and unlock new opportunities for people and businesses in Canada and around the world.
Canada is deeply committed to working with its international partners to build a more peaceful, inclusive and sustainable world.
Quotes
"Canada congratulates President-elect Lacalle Pou of Uruguay and President Fernández of Argentina on his recent election. Canada looks forward to working with both governments as well as our other partners in South America toward a shared vision for the future.”
-Pablo Rodríguez, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Quick facts
- In 1953, Canada appointed its first ambassador to Uruguay, with the official residence in Argentina. Bilateral relations have expanded considerably since that time, in particular since 1984, when Uruguay returned to democracy following 11 years of military rule.
- Canada and Uruguay are co-chairing the Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network this year. In November 2017, Uruguay co-hosted with Canada the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. Uruguay has endorsed the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers as well as Canada’s Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations.
- Canada’s first trade office in South America was opened in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1911, and Canada’s bilateral relationship with that country has grown significantly since then.
- Canada and Argentina have jointly engaged in reconstruction and peacekeeping operations in Haiti and have collaborated as part of the Friends of Haiti and through the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.
- Canada has identified five priorities if it is elected to the UN Security Council for a non-permanent seat from 2021 to 2022: sustaining peace; addressing climate change; promoting economic security; advancing gender equality; and strengthening multilateralism.