(Industry Canada)
The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas), today announced that he will travel to Brussels and Berlin from July 18 to 22, 2010, to promote Canada’s engagement in the Americas and discuss shared security challenges rooted in the hemisphere.
“Organized crime and drug trafficking pose significant security and governance challenges, particularly in Central America and the Caribbean,” said Minister of State Kent. “In our increasingly globalized world, a regional security challenge can quickly transform into an international threat. Our experience in tackling drug trafficking shows that isolated efforts, even effective ones, cannot result in lasting success. We must resolve to work together to confront these collective security threats.”
While in Brussels, the Minister of State will meet with Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development, with responsibility for the Caribbean and reconstruction in Haiti, with Latin American and Caribbean ambassadors to the European Union and with Médecins sans frontières.
During his visit to Berlin, Minister of State Kent will meet with Werner Hoyer, Minister of State at Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, and with German parliamentarians. He will also participate in a round-table discussion on Latin America with German foundations and think tanks active in the region.
“Canada is committed to working collaboratively with countries throughout the region and around the world to establish a safer, more democratic and prosperous hemisphere,” said Minister of State Kent. “This visit is an opportunity to increase joint action with Germany and the European Union. We look forward to working together with these key partners to advance our shared objectives in the hemisphere.”
