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Muslims who saved Jews
Muslims Who Saved Jews? Who Ever Heard of It? When I first learned of the WWII rescue of Jews in Muslim Albania and Kosovo, my reaction was visceral. Muslims who saved Jews? I must record this forgotten event with my camera and tell the story through the various family histories of the people I was […]
Canada-EU deal: ‘Now the hard part starts’
The easy part — if ever there were one — is over. Now the hard part starts. This fall marks the midpoint in the two-year timeframe for the completion of a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Canada and Europe have had four rounds of formal negotiations and many informal discussions. Even a volcanic eruption […]
Canada’s nine free trade agreements
Canada started signing free trade deals as far back as 1988 when it signed the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, which eventually grew into the North American Free Trade Agreement. Since then, this country has signed deals with 10 other countries and one principality and has agreements pending with Ukraine, Morocco and Korea, to name a […]
Germany on Europe’s aid to Greece: ‘We don’t see it as a bail-out’
German Ambassador Georg Witschel presented his credentials just over a year ago and since then the career diplomat with a PhD in international law has developed a great love for Canada — so much so that he spent six weeks of his summer on vacation in the Maritimes, as well as Newfoundland and Labrador. His […]
A personal perspective on religion and government
The relationship between Islam and democracy continues to be debated by experts and laymen alike. When I was asked by Diplomat magazine to write a short piece on the matter, I considered the following: I am not an expert on Islam, nor do I personally or officially speak on behalf of all Muslims. But […]
From the French embassy to Carnegie Hall
If the ways in which they help out the Ottawa Bach Choir are any indication, it would seem that Johann Sebastian is a favourite composer among Ottawa’s foreign diplomats. The relationships started three years ago when board member Bill Caswell decided to approach some envoys about hosting fund-raising events. Once the Turkish embassy responded […]
Philippines: A traveller’s paradise
My priorities as ambassador of the Philippines to Canada are to reflect the three pillars of our foreign policy: firstly, to assist in our country’s economic growth, secondly, to strengthen our national security and, thirdly, to ensure and promote the welfare of our citizens abroad. Under the third pillar and enshrined in the Philippine Constitution […]
Albania: An investment option
Though small in size and population, Albania has arguably emerged as the most dynamic economy in its region. Even in these tough economic times, Albania’s GDP has grown for the third year in a row. It grew by 7.8 percent in 2008 and 3.1 percent in 2009. Experts forecast the country will still see a […]
Taiwan-Canada-China: A triple-win model to prosperity
When Taiwan and China signed the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) in June 2010, it meant opening the door for deeper economic ties across the Taiwan Strait but it was also a significant milestone after decades of hostilities and confrontation. When Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou took office two years ago, he wanted to improve on […]
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