Address by Minister Dion at a reception following the EU and Canada as Strategic Partners: Towards a New Generation Relationship conference

Speech

May 9, 2016 - Ottawa, Ontario

Check against delivery. This speech has been translated in accordance with the official languages policy and edited for posting and distribution in accordance with the Government of Canada’s communications policy.

I am asked to bring to a close a conference that I did not attend, which is always a little frustrating; I am sure it has been a success and that I would have learned a lot. I look forward to reading the report my spies will prepare. The conference and this evening’s reception are among many activities that celebrate our 40th anniversary: it was 40 years ago that Europe opened a diplomatic mission in Ottawa—the third of its kind after Washington and Tokyo. Since then, Canada has had only to congratulate itself for its partnership with its European friends. The same is certainly true for many other countries around the world.

Today, as it grapples with serious challenges, the European Union must not forget that it represents hope for democracy, peaceful pluralism and cooperation among states. That countries that warred for centuries could build such a peaceful union remains one of human civilization’s greatest accomplishments.

Today also marks the 66th anniversary of the beginning of this success story with the Schuman Declaration, which proposed the creation of a European coal and steel community. Allow me to quote from it:

“World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it.

“The contribution which an organized and living Europe can bring to civilization is indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations. [...] Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity.”

Robert Schuman was very prescient—don’t you think?—in that all of this, I believe, is just as true today as it was 66 years ago.

The security challenges we collectively face—from the horrendous violence of ISIL [the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant], or Daesh, to nuclear proliferation to global warming—must be met with creative efforts proportionate to the risk.

Europe remains an indispensable partner in this endeavour, for Canada and for the world. As the world’s largest economy and largest aid and humanitarian donor, the European Union is also, as I said, a force for peace, an inspiration for other regions facing instability and conflict, and a major player on all key challenges.

At the core of these achievements is European solidarity. And if new challenges, such as rising migration levels, are to be collectively met, then European solidarity will remain an absolute necessity.

Canada’s history is intertwined with Europe’s.

And so is our future, as we work this year to sign the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement [CETA] and the Strategic Partnership Agreement, which I know were discussed in detail today. CETA must be signed in 2016 and brought into force in 2017 so that consumers and businesses in Europe and Canada can start benefiting. So let’s get it done.

I am confident these two agreements will form the basis of an ever more fruitful relationship in the years to come.

As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said, “In a world of shifting global power, it is more important than ever to leverage the Canadian-European partnership to advance our common values and interests.” This includes leveraging that partnership in multilateral organizations, in which Canada is actively re-engaging. As many of you know, Canada is seeking a non-permanent seat on the Security Council, starting in 2021.

Canada wants to play its part in the world as a determined peacebuilder. In this regard the EU has always been, and will continue to be, a unique partner for Canada.

It is in this spirit of determined peacebuilding that I would like to finish by wishing everyone a happy Europe Day.

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