Visit to Canada of His Excellency Jakup Krasniqi, President of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, and a Parliamentary Delegation

From September 26 to 30, 2011, His Excellency Jakup Krasniqi, President of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, led a parliamentary delegation to Ottawa, Toronto and Niagara-on-the-Lake at the invitation of the Honourable Andrew Scheer, Speaker of the House of Commons. The official delegation was composed of Mr. Petar Miletić, M.P.; Mr. Ardian Gjini, M.P.; Mr. Hydajet Hyseni, M.P.; Mr. Avni Spahiu, Ambassador of Kosovo to the United States of America; Mr. Mehmet Hajrizi, Chief of Cabinet to the President of the Assembly of Kosovo; and Mr. Skender Reçica, Protocol and International Advisor to the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo.

The delegates had the opportunity to attend various meetings in Ottawa, Toronto and Niagara-on-the-Lake.

In Ottawa, the delegation met with the following:

• The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker of the Senate;
• The Honourable Andrew Scheer, Speaker of the House of Commons;
• The Honourable Bev Oda, P.C., M.P., Minister of International Cooperation;
• Mr. Gerald Keddy, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and for the Atlantic Gateway;
• Mr. Leon Benoit, M.P., Chair of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association NATO PA);
• Mr. Stephen Woodworth, M.P., Member of the Executive Committee of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU);
• The Honourable Mauril Bélanger, P.C., M.P.; Co-Chair of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association;
• Members of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade; and
• Members of the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.

In Toronto, the delegation toured the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and met with the Speaker, the Honourable Steve Peters, M.P.P. They also visited the CN Tower and toured the Royal Ontario Museum. The delegates also met with representatives of the Canadian-Kosovar community.

While in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the delegates met with His Lordship Dave Eke, Lord Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake and toured a winery. They also visited Niagara Falls.

The visit served to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and allowed the delegates to meet with various Canadian officials. A variety of subjects were discussed, including trade, international cooperation, security, parliamentary cooperation, as well as investment opportunities.