OTTAWA—At the request of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will conduct a working visit to the United Mexican States, from November 30 to December 2; an official visit to Peru, from December 2 to 5, and a State visit to Guatemala, from December 5 to 7, 2012.
“Sharon and I will be joined by a delegation of prominent Canadians to help convey the message that Canada values its relationships with the countries that we will visit,” said the Governor General. “The events that we will take part in will allow us to promote Canada’s active engagement in Mexico, Peru and Guatemala, and highlight our desire to increase our collaborations in areas such as trade, education, innovation, security and justice.”
His Excellency will be joined by parliamentarians from all official parties; and an accompanying delegation of Canadians who will enhance people-to-people linkages with their Mexican, Peruvian and Guatemalan counterparts.
In Mexico, Their Excellencies will represent Canada at various official events on the occasion of the inauguration of His Excellency Enrique Peña Nieto, President-elect of the United Mexican States, to show Canada’s support for the new administration taking office. While meeting with government officials, business leaders, academics, NGOs, and volunteers from Mexico City and Querétaro, the Governor General will promote Canada’s engagement in the Americas and our interests in Mexico in order to further co-operation in areas such as innovation, technology, education and local development.
In Lima, Their Excellencies will meet with His Excellency Ollanta Humala, President of the Republic of Peru, to discuss the strong relations between our countries as reflected in our increasing collaboration on initiatives related to education, business and innovation. The Governor General will promote Canadian business, innovation and priorities for sustainable development co-operation in the context of Peru’s domestic focus on social inclusion through economic growth. He will support initiatives related to education, business and innovation during discussions with business leaders, academics and students.
In Guatemala City, Their Excellencies will meet with His Excellency Otto Pérez Molina, President of the Republic of Guatemala, to discuss the continuation of Canada’s relationship with the country in areas such as transitional justice; improvement of citizen security; access to justice; combatting organized crime; and trade and investment, while promoting human rights and corporate social responsibility. The Governor General will also address academics, government officials, donors and representatives of non-governmental organizations on food security, rural economic development and nutrition to highlight Canada’s engagement in these areas.
Visits abroad by a governor general play an important role in Canada’s relations with other countries. They are a form of diplomatic contact, as they mark further developments in bilateral relations and exchanges among peoples.
Members of the public can follow the visits to Mexico, Peru and Guatemala online at www.gg.ca, where speeches and photos of the Governor General will be posted.
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