From January 12 to 18, 2019, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Geoff Regan, P.C., M.P., led a parliamentary delegation on a visit to the Republic of Croatia and the Czech Republic. The delegation consisted of the Honourable Kelly Regan, the Honourable Candice Bergen, P.C., M.P. and Kate Young, M.P. Also accompanying the delegation were; Mr. Brian Underhill, Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House of Commons; and Ms. Catherine Cuerrier, Secretary to the delegation.
The delegation first visited Dubrovnik, the capital of Dubrovnik-Neretva County in southern Croatia, to meet with the Prefect of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, the Deputy Mayor of Dubrovnik, the Mayor of Ston, as well as Croatian officials and Canadian-Croatian investors involved in various economic sectors in Croatia. Through their discussions, the Canadian delegates gained a better understanding of the current business climate in the country.
Delegates also experienced Croatian culture by visiting Dubrovnik, where they admired its defensive stone walls along the Dalmatian coast on the Adriatic Sea; the Municipality of Ston, where they learned about the medieval architecture of its walls; the Bay of Mali Ston, where they visited an oyster farm; and the Peljesac Peninsula, where they visited a vineyard.
In Zagreb, the delegation held official meetings with the following people:
The Speaker of the House of Commons had the privilege of addressing the media at a press conference celebrating the first anniversary of Croatia’s ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union with the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament; the State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts; the President of the Canadian Croatian Business Network (CCBN); the President of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce; and the Ambassador and Head of the European Commission Representation in Croatia. The purpose of the event was to highlight CETA’s successes and reaffirm and deepen existing trade relations between Canada and Croatia.
Finally, the delegation was given a guided tour of the Parliament of Croatia and the city of Zagreb.
The objectives of the visit were to promote Canada’s interests and democratic values, strengthen parliamentary cooperation and highlight the importance of diplomatic relations between Canada and Croatia over the past 25 years. The delegation mainly discussed trade and investment, the economy, agriculture, gender equality, refugees and migrants. They spoke about the importance of encouraging partnerships in university research between the two countries. Each meeting reiterated the significance of ongoing parliamentary dialogue and the bilateral ties between the two countries. Finally, the delegation discussed Canada’s efforts to secure a seat on the United Nations Security Council in 2020-2021.
In Prague, Czech Republic, the delegation held official meetings with the following individuals:
The delegation also attended a reception at the official residence of the Canadian Ambassador, where they had the opportunity to interact with various officials and representatives of the business community in the Czech Republic. The Speaker of the House of Commons participated, along with the Canadian delegates and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, in a wreath-laying ceremony outside Charles University commemorating the 50th anniversary of the death of Jan Palach in January 1969. In the Czech Republic, Mr. Palach is a symbol of resistance to communism and Soviet occupation.
Finally, the delegation had the opportunity to visit the Chamber of Deputies and to experience Czech culture by visiting various religious, cultural and historic sites, including Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Town Square and the Charles Bridge.
The purpose of the visit was to strengthen relations between the Czech Republic and Canada and to encourage ongoing parliamentary dialogue by further promoting parliamentary exchanges. The delegation discussed foreign policies of international and mutual interest, including human rights and national defence. The delegation discussed the many business opportunities and benefits for Canadian and European companies provided by CETA and opportunities for trade in technology and artificial intelligence. The visit also provided Canadian delegates with a better understanding of the immigration and labour shortage issues facing the country’s leaders. Finally, the delegation reiterated that Canada would seek a seat on the United Nations Security Council in 2020-2021.
In addition to the meetings listed above, the Speaker of the House of Commons had the privilege of making a presentation at both the University of Zagreb in Zagreb and Charles University in Prague, on multiculturalism and Canadian democratic values. The events allowed young academics, civil society, and the general public to engage in discussions with the Canadian delegation on national and international issues of concern. The delegation also met with senior officials from the Canadian Embassy in Croatia and the Czech Republic. They received briefings on geopolitical developments in Europe, particularly in Croatia and the Czech Republic.
The report will be available as soon as it is presented in the House of Commons.