speech by Ambassador Wnendt

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Madam Chief Justice, Beverley McLachlin,
Dear Senators and Members of Parliament,
Dear Representatives of the Canadian Government,
Dear Colleagues from Embassies and High Commissions around the world,
Dear Friends and Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bonsoir et bienvenu à la résidence allemande à Rockcliffe. Thank you for joining us in
celebrating the 26th anniversary of Germany’s reunification. Merci d’être venu pour
célébrer avec nous la Fête nationale allemande, le jour de l’Unité allemande.
Liebe Landsleute und deutschsprachige Gäste, herzlich willkommen in der deutschen
Residenz in Rockcliffe an unserem Nationalfeiertag, dem Tag der Deutschen Einheit.
Let me on this occasion briefly mention three developments that are of great interest to
Germany and Canada.
The first development is, of course, our bilateral relationship which is excellent, has been
solid in the past and continues to grow closer and friendlier every year.
There have been high-ranking visits across the ocean in both directions. Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau and Chancellor Angela Merkel have met many times in the margins of
multilateral summit meetings and we hope to see the first visit of the Prime Minister to
Germany in the near future. Other visits included Ministers and Members of Parliament,
representatives from various companies, from the provinces and from the culture and
science sectors.
Germany is among the leading trade partners of Canada, and German investment in
Canada as well as Canadian investment in Germany has created employment
opportunities and growth in both countries.
And, there is close friendship among our people. 3.2 million Canadians claim some
German descendance, and people from Germany come to Canada as tourists, students,
scientists or businessmen. Emigrating to Canada was a dream of many young Germans
after the Second World War.
Today, many Germans come to Canada to enjoy this vast country full of magnificent
landscapes, unspoiled nature, the four distinct seasons, and the warmth of hospitable
people from coast to coast.
The second development I want to mention is Canada’s and Germany’s shared
responsibility in this age of globalization and the global challenges that we are facing
today. Our two countries are members of the NATO alliance, of the G7 and G20
coordination processes, and we work together in many international organizations.
From climate change to pandemic health risks, political and economic conflicts, the fight
against terrorism and crises in the Ukraine and Syria, there has been hardly a challenge
where Canada and Germany have not joined hands in an effort to find solutions.
Our visions and objectives are very compatible. They are based on common values and
ideas and the congruent means and instruments that are at our disposal.
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Despite the differences in size and geography, our countries have developed similar
strategies of conflict management and cooperation. We are confident that together with
our partners in North America, Europe and other regions of the world, we can succeed in
finding solutions to the concerns and challenges that affect the people in our countries.
Mon dernier point se concentre sur l’Europe et l’Union européenne, la seule organisation
supranationale au monde. Parmi quelques membres qui font partie de l’Union européenne
mais aussi par d’autres qui n’y appartiennent pas, comme le Canada, le sentiment
commence à se développer que l’Union Européenne est menacée de désintégration.
Il est vrai qu’il y a beaucoup de défis importants que l’Union européenne doit affronter,
comme le BREXIT et la crise des réfugiés, par exemple. Peut-être est-il vrai aussi que
pour la première fois depuis plus de soixante ans, le processus de l’intégration
européenne doit être révisé fondamentalement. Mais quand on observe attentivement les
derniers développements dans le cadre de l’Union européenne, il faut noter que les pays
membres et leurs gouvernements sont déterminés à trouver des solutions aux problèmes.
Même la Grande-Bretagne veut continuer à coopérer étroitement avec l’Union européenne
malgré son départ.
Heureusement, l’Union européenne est aussi en mesure d’annoncer de bonnes nouvelles.
The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement CETA that has been negotiated
between Canada and the European Union is about to be signed and implemented.
Germany is a strong supporter of this trade agreement and free trade in general. We are
convinced that both sides, Canada and the European Union, including our own country,
will benefit from this agreement. There will be growth, there will be new jobs and there will
be an even closer cooperation also at the bilateral level.
Of importance beyond the relationship between Canada and the European Union is that
the CETA agreement sends a strong signal to the rest of the world that free trade
agreements can be achieved with fair partnerships, based on common rules and for the
mutual benefit of all parties involved. The European Union and Canada demonstrate great
leadership. We specifically applaud the concerted efforts made by Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau and his cabinet, in particular, the Minister of International Trade, Chrystia
Freeland, in this regard.
Mrs. Freeland traveled to Europe recently in order to personally convince governments
that it is about time to sign the agreement. In Germany, she even convinced a party
congress of the Social Democratic Party that Canada would be a great and reliable partner
for the European Union.
Liebe Landsleute und deutschsprachigen Gäste, wir freuen uns sehr, dass Sie hier sind
und wünschen Ihnen einen schönen Abend.
Ladies and gentlemen, mesdames et messieurs, je vous souhaite encore la bienvenue et
une agréable soirée. Have a wonderful evening.