Minister of Foreign Affairs to visit Europe

News Release

February 14, 2017 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will join the Prime Minister in Strasbourg, France, on February 16, 2017, for his historic address to the European Parliament.

Later, between February 16 and 17, 2017, the Minister will attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Bonn, Germany.

The Minister will then join the Prime Minister in Berlin and Hamburg, Germany, to participate in bilateral meetings with Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and accompany the Prime Minister to Hamburg’s annual St. Matthew’s Day banquet.

Finally, on February 18 and 19, the Minister will attend the Munich Security Conference. This global forum on security policy brings together more than 450 senior decision makers from around the world, including heads of state, ministers and leading experts from both international and non-governmental organizations. 

Quotes

“Canada is committed to engaging with its G20 partners to strengthen crisis prevention, combat global inequality and contribute to an open, peaceful and prosperous world.

“The global security environment is more complex and challenging than ever before. Our country continues to advocate for human rights and the rule of law, and the Munich Security Conference will provide an essential opportunity to reinforce Canada’s enduring alliances.”

- Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick Facts

  • Germany holds the G20 presidency in 2017 and will host the Leaders’ Summit in Hamburg on July 7 and 8.
  • Canada was instrumental in launching the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors process in 1999 in the wake of the Asian financial crisis. Building on the format of the G20 finance ministers’ meetings, then-prime minister Paul Martin was one of the first to campaign for a formal G20 leaders forum.
  • In response to the global financial crisis in 2008, the G20 was elevated to include heads of state and government.
  • Today, the G20 is the central forum for international cooperation on financial and macroeconomic issues.
  • February 16, 2017, will mark the first ever address by a Canadian prime minister to the European Parliament.

Related Products

Contacts

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaFP
Follow Minister Freeland on Twitter: @MinCanadaFA
Like us on Facebook: Canada’s foreign policy - Global Affairs Canada

Page details

Date modified: