Minister Joly hosts meeting in Ottawa with the Ministerial Committee of the Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit

News release

December 9, 2023 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, hosted a meeting in Ottawa with a delegation of foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the Palestinian Authority to discuss the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and the path toward lasting peace in the region.

The visiting foreign ministers travelled to Ottawa as representatives of the Ministerial Committee of the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit. Their trip to Ottawa followed their visits to the capitals of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

During their meeting, Minister Joly chaired a discussion on the latest developments in the conflict, during which the foreign ministers discussed the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Minister Joly emphasized Canada’s position that the violence must end and that much more humanitarian assistance be allowed into Gaza. She reiterated Canada’s condemnation of the brutal terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas against Israel on October 7, the call for the immediate release of all hostages, and the need to allow Canadians and foreign nationals who wish to leave Gaza to do so.

The foreign ministers also discussed possible political pathways to comprehensive peace and the importance of working toward a sustainable future that ensures the self-determination, human rights, and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike.

Following the Ministerial discussion chaired by Minister Joly, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the visiting foreign ministers to hear their views for the way forward.

Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Joly reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to continue working with the foreign ministers and other regional partners to achieve a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, through a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel.

Quotes

“I thank the foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the Palestinian Authority, for coming to Ottawa for an important discussion on the path to a sustainable and lasting peace in the Middle East. We continue to unequivocally condemn the brutal terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas against Israel and strongly believe that the price of justice cannot be the continued suffering of the Palestinian people. I will remain fully engaged in our shared commitment to support a peaceful and safe resolution for both Israelis and Palestinians.”

- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

  • Canada is providing $60 million in funding for humanitarian assistance to address needs stemming from the crisis.

  • This funding will help Canada’s partners provide food, water, emergency medical assistance, protection services, relief items and other life-saving assistance.

  • The 1993 Israel-Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Declaration of Principles (known as the Oslo Accord) continues to provide the basis for a comprehensive agreement based on UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338. Canada welcomed the decision of the Palestine National Council to accept UN Security Council Resolution 242 as a basis for peace negotiations as well as mutual recognition by Israel and the PLO in 1993.

  • Canada also strongly supports the Quartet’s Road Map (drafted by the United States, the European Union, Russia, and the United Nations), which sets out the obligations of both parties and steps for establishment of a Palestinian state, and the process launched by the Annapolis Conference. Canada also supports the Arab Peace Initiative (or the Saudi Initiative, endorsed by the Arab League) as a potential basis for a comprehensive Arab-Israeli settlement.

Associated links

Contacts

Isabella Orozco-Madison
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Isabella.Orozco-Madison@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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