October 9, 2014 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today announced that he will visit the Netherlands on October 10 and 11, 2014. Baird will meet with Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans to discuss a range of pressing international issues, such as the crisis in Ukraine and the disturbing advances of the terrorist group ISIL in Iraq and Syria.
“ISIL is a threat to not just the region, but to the entire global community, including Canada,” Baird said. “Canada and the Netherlands are allies in the fight against terrorism and have both joined the coalition to conduct air strikes in Iraq. We will continue to coordinate our actions to stop this catastrophe from expanding further.”
This year, Canada and the Netherlands are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. The two ministers will also discuss a range of bilateral issues, including increased trade and prosperity between Canada and the Netherlands.
“With the end of negotiations of the historic Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, Canada and the Netherlands are bound to grow closer and reap the rewards of this significant accomplishment,” said Baird. “The economic prosperity of our country continues to be a top priority for our government, so I look forward to discussing how Canada and the Netherlands can deepen an already successful trade relationship.”
Baird will travel with the Dutch foreign minister to the Nijmegen area and visit the Liberation Route to pay special tribute to fallen Canadian soldiers buried at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery. Next year will mark the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands, a close NATO ally.
“I will be deeply honoured and touched to be able to visit the area where so many Canadians, including my grandfather, bravely fought against the German occupation in 1945,” said Baird.
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