Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant to travel to Kosovo

News release

April 12, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that the Honourable Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will travel to Pristina, Kosovo, from April 14 to 17, 2024.

During his trip, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will attend the second International Forum for Women, Peace and Security (WPS Forum), where he will participate in various activities and panel discussions aimed at developing new strategies and frameworks for action in the wake of an ever-changing security environment in the Western Balkans, Europe and beyond. He will deliver an address at the WPS Forum, in a ministerial discussion titled "Voices matter: A global call to end conflict related sexual violence". Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will also engage with leadership from both Kosovo Force (KFOR) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Mission on Canada’s role in supporting efforts for peace and stability in the region.

While in Kosovo, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will also meet with regional leaders, senior government officials and key partners. During these meetings, he will discuss how Canada can support the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue towards a comprehensive agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, and identify further opportunities for Canada and Kosovo to continue promoting peace, political stability, and economic progress in the Western Balkans. He is also scheduled to visit Canada Fund for Local Initiatives projects supporting the empowerment of women and youth in Kosovo.

Quotes

“I am thrilled to participate in the WPS Forum and work with Canada’s international partners to create tools and policies to address rising global challenges. As we mark 25 years since the arrival of thousands of Kosovar refugees in Canada, I’m also looking forward to engaging with representatives of the Kosovar government to explore opportunities that will allow the relationship and cooperation between our two countries to continue growing.”

- Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008, and was recognized by Canada on March 18, 2008. Both countries established full diplomatic relations on April 7, 2009.
Canada continues to provide small grants through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, to assist local partners in Kosovo with projects aimed at improving respect for the rule of law and human rights, increasing citizen engagement and combatting corruption.
On March 28, Canada released “Foundations for Peace’’, its third national action plan on the Women, Peace and Security agenda aimed at addressing the most pressing peace and security challenges of the day. This action plan also prepares the Government of Canada to respond effectively to the inevitable challenges and crises that will materialize in the coming years.
In the spring of 1999, Canada sponsored over 5,000 Kosovar refugees through “Operation Parasol’’ as part of an international emergency evacuation organized by the United Nations for hundreds of thousands of civilians who fled or were forced into neighbouring countries like Albania and Macedonia from war in Kosovo. Refugees airlifted to Canada were sheltered at military bases in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario.

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Contacts

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

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Date modified:: 2024-04-12