canada saudi arabia relations

 

Elle joue un rôle de premier plan au sein de l’Organisation des pays exportateurs de pétrole (OPEP) et son influence sur l’économie mondiale est significative. On the contrary, it means putting Canada back in a position to actually be able to pursue them and to have an impact – however small – beyond the easily ignored hectoring from the social media sidelines that seems to pass for effective diplomacy these days. Angered by the public condemnation, Saudi Arabia suspended diplomatic ties with Canada last August, expelled the Canadian ambassador and recalled its own envoy from Ottawa. The former is a member of the treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), while the latter has refused to sign the international agreement. The purpose of Canada’s diplomacy is simple — influence the behaviour of other countries and advance the interests of Canadians. While such communities are often underrepresented in the Canadian political process, they are significantly impacted by different social, political, and economic developments in the Middle East. As the global power structure continues to shift, it is essential to analyze the future of the US regional presence under the Biden administration, explore the emerging global rivalry with Russia and China, and at last, investigate the implications of such competition for peace and security in the Middle East. The Saudis have demanded a public apology and that is rightly off the table. L’Arabie saoudite est représentée au Canada par une ambassade à Ottawa. Saudi Arabia’s decision to effectively downgrade diplomatic ties with Canada, cut cultural/student contacts and freeze commercial ties was not pre-meditated. Saudi Arabia freezes trade relations with Canada Canadian ambassador given 24 hours to leave Riyadh, Bahrain says it supports Saudi decision Published: August 06, 2018 07:12 Gulf News Report Tweets may be politically and emotionally satisfying for Ministers and supporters but, they do nothing to actually change the lives of Saudis, which ostensibly, is the goal of Ottawa’s human rights policies. In this evolving landscape, Western powers will be compelled to redefine their strategic priorities and adjust their policies with the new realities in the region. The relationship between Canada and Saudi Arabia is cordial but limited. The thousands of Saudi students who came to Canada annually – men and women – returned to the Kingdom with a different perspective. Il détient 25% des réserves de pétrole connues dans le monde. This panel will primarily discuss the implications of the ongoing arms race in the region and the role of Western powers and multilateral organizations in facilitating trust-building security arrangements among regional stakeholders to limit the proliferation of arms across the Middle East. These students are no longer coming. You can reach us by email: Canada has a trade deficit with Saudi Arabia, and the kingdom’s imports are dominated mostly by crude oil. Military interventions, political and economic instabilities, and civil unrest in the Middle East have led to a global refugee crisis with an increasing wave of refugees and asylum seekers to Europe and Canada. On Middle East policy, the Biden campaign had staunchly criticized the Trump administration’s unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), more commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal and it has begun re-engaging Iran on the nuclear dossier since assuming office in January 2021. They realized that to do everything they wanted to do, including on human rights, they needed to be playing at full diplomatic strength. But for some within and outside Government, the bilateral derailment provided an opportunity for Canada to underscore its willingness to pay the price to defend its principles and values. – Sanam Vakil: Deputy Director of MENA Programme at Chatham House, – Denise Natali: Acting Director, Institute for National Strategic Studies & Director of the Center for Strategic Research, National Defense University, – Hassan Ahmadian: Professor of the Middle East and North Africa Studies, University of Tehran, – Abdulaziz Sagar: Chairman, Gulf Research Center, – Andrew Parasiliti: President, Al-Monitor, Canada-Saudi Relations: Time to Get Back on Track. It’s been nearly two years since an ill-conceived tweet and Saudi Arabia’s massive over-reaction to it upended Canada-Saudi relations in August 2018. Saudi Arabia wagered that the symbolic message of directing its fury at Canada outweighs the necessary downturn in relations with that country. Canada has reportedly made efforts to repair the relationship, but with little success to date. As a result of the deterioration in relations between Canada and KSA, the conflict and resulting humanitarian crisis in Yemen, and the Khashoggi killing, the Government has been re-evaluating Canada’s foreign, defence and security policies towards KSA. In 2016, Canada launched an ambitious five-year “Middle East Engagement Strategy” (2016-2021), committing to investing CA$3.5 billion over five years to help establish the necessary conditions for security and stability, alleviate human suffering and enable stabilization programs in the region. l’Arabie saoudite est actuellement le deuxième marché d’exportation en importance du Canada dans la région, section formats de rechange de notre page aide, Faire des affaires avec l'Arabie Saoudite. Le Canada est un des principaux donateurs d’aide humanitaire au Yémen. The Government, effectively, traded effectiveness for applause and that is an exchange Canada should not find acceptable nor let stand. They understood that normal diplomatic ties were not a seal of approval but a means to an end. Canada could have been recognized as a leader in that effort, but that has now also ended. One Saudi graduate from St. Mary’s, for example, returned home and started a very successful company devoted solely to facilitating the entry of Saudi women into the workforce. In August 2018, the relationship between Canada and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia appeared to break down in a most public and modern way: over Twitter. Fueled by government incompetence and foreign interventions, terrorist insurgencies have imposed severe humanitarian and economic costs on the region. It will be hard and there may be additional complications (including MBS’s quixotic nature). Moreover, it freed the Government from having to consider the impact various human rights initiatives might have on the bilateral relationship (it is worth considering, for example, whether Canada would have been as enthusiastically assertive in offering refuge to a young Saudi woman, Rahaf Mohammad Al-Qunn in December 2018 had relations been on a normal footing). L’Arabie saoudite est le premier exportateur de pétrole au monde. Egypt–Saudi Arabia relations are the relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Canada’s multicultural social landscape includes prosperous Middle Eastern communities. A diplomatic rift has opened between Canada and Saudi Arabia after a Canadian government minister's public criticism of policies that the Saudis consider a matter of internal security. Source: Arab News Le Yémen, pour sa part, a une ambassade à Ottawa. The Biden administration has begun re-engaging Iran on the nuclear dossier, an initiative staunchly opposed by Israel, while also taking a harder line on Saudi Arabia’s intervention in Yemen. The relationship between Canada and Saudi Arabia is “fractured” and the kingdom has ordered its ministries to look for alternatives to existing deals it has with Canadian businesses. In the latest development, during the meeting of the Global Coalition against ISIS, Minister of Foreign Affairs Marc Garneau announced more than $43.6 million in Peace and Stabilization Operations Program funding for 11 projects in Syria and Iraq. Official relations. This panel will primarily discuss the implications of the ongoing arms race in the region and the role of Western powers and multilateral organizations in facilitating trust-building security arrangements among regional stakeholders to limit the proliferation of arms across the Middle East. Dennis Horak, Former Canadian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Simultaneously, such communities have become financially successful and can help promote trade between Canada and the region. On the other hand, with international terrorist networks and intense regional rivalry in the Middle East, it is impractical to discuss peace and security without addressing terrorism and the arms race in the region. Most importantly, the panel will discuss if a multilateral security dialogue in the Persian Gulf region, proposed by some regional actors, can help reduce tensions among regional foes and produce sustainable peace and development for the region. The Saudi government appeared to take immediate offence. En Arabie saoudite, le Canada est représenté par l’ambassade du Canada à Riyad. More importantly, the panel will discuss a principled and strategic roadmap for the future of Canada’s short-term and long-term engagement in the Middle East. “We have respect for … In this respect, we will discuss the Biden team’s new approach vis-à-vis Iran, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. Economic relations. Le Canada cherche néanmoins à diversifier ses relations avec le royaume saoudien. They ultimately succeeded in getting relations back on track through a combination of sustained, high-level diplomatic engagement, determined political will and creative diplomatic drafting of “non-apology apologies” that satisfied the needs of both sides. In this panel, we will primarily investigate Canada’s Middle East Strategy’s degree of success in providing humanitarian aid to the region. While the international community is concerned with Iran’s nuclear program, Saudi Arabia has moved forward with developing its own nuclear program, and independent studies show that Israel has longed possessed dozens of nuclear warheads. The countries share important economic ties, with Saudi Arabia representing Canada's second largest trading partner in the Middle East. This panel will investigate the trade and investment opportunities in the Middle East, discuss how facilitating economic engagement with the region can benefit Canadian national interests, and explore relevant policy prescriptions. It’s been nearly two years since an ill-conceived tweet and Saudi Arabia’s massive over-reaction to it upended Canada-Saudi relations in August 2018. Dennis Horak served as Canadian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Yemen, and former Head of Mission in Iran. Le gouvernement saoudien joue un rôle important dans la promotion de la paix et de la stabilité dans la région. The emerging regional order in West Asia will have wide-ranging implications for global security. Relations between Canada and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are interesting. Secondly, the panel will discuss what programs and initiatives Canada can introduce to further build on the renewed strategy. Meanwhile, key regional actors, including Qatar, Iraq, and Oman, have engaged in backchannel efforts to bring Iran and Saudi Arabia to the negotiating table. The Institute for Peace & Diplomacy (IPD) is a Canadian non-partisan foreign policy think tank dedicated to promoting sustainable peace through diplomacy, dialogue, and constructive engagement. – Abdullah Baabood: Academic Researcher and Former Director of the Centre for Gulf Studies, Qatar University, – Trita Parsi: Executive Vice-President, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, – Ebtesam Al-Ketbi: President, Emirates Policy Centre​, – Jon Allen: Canada’s Former Ambassador to Israel, – Elizabeth Hagedorn: Washington correspondent for Al-Monitor. Targeting a G-7 country in such a high-profile, over-the-top manner would ensure that that message would resonate widely. L’Arabie saoudite est représentée au Canada par une ambassade à Ottawa. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has, in myriad ways, exacerbated and contributed to the ongoing security threats and destabilization of the region. Tweets preach to a choir. It didn’t mean that they suddenly jettisoned their principles or concerns about Saudi Arabia. 16 February 2018/ By Hildenbrand / MSC. Saudi Arabia is Canada's largest trade partner among the seven countries of the Arabian Peninsula, totalling more than $2,000,000,000 in trade in 2005, nearly double its value in 2002. The relationship increased in February 2014 with the purchase of C$15 billion worth of Canadian arms by Saudi Arabia. Normal diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia allowed Canada to play a supportive role in these reform efforts, both directly and indirectly. But it is worth doing. The countries share important economic ties, with Saudi Arabia representing Canada's second largest trading partner in the Middle East. Relations between Canada and Saudi Arabia soured in early August, when the Canadian foreign ministry expressed concern at the arrest of women’s rights activists there, imploring the Saudis in separate English and Arabic tweets to “immediately release” them. A dispute between Canada and Saudi Arabia that started with a tweet escalated to an all-out slanging match that has all but severed relations between the two countries entirely. Despite the increasingly authoritarian rule of MBS and the tightening of political space in the Kingdom, the social and economic reform efforts launched by the Crown Prince’s Vision 2030 program and the weakening of the role of the Saudi religious establishment in the Kingdom are significant. Le Royaume demeure une source importante d’étudiants étrangers au Canada. Saudi Arabia said it will continue to ratchet up pressure on Canada for criticizing the recent arrests of women activists, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau upheld his stance on human rights. This panel will discuss how Western powers and multilateral institutions, such as the IAEA, can play a more effective role in managing non-proliferation efforts in the Middle East. Despite their dissatisfaction with Canada’s neglect of the relationship and Ottawa’s singular focus on human rights, the Saudi-Canada relationship was still valued. Oil will not be impacted. While the United States continues to pull back from certain regional conflicts, reflected by the Biden administration’s decision to halt American backing for Saudi Arabia’s intervention in Yemen and the expected withdrawal from Afghanistan, US troops continue to be stationed across the region. The Germans and the Swedes found themselves on the outs with Riyadh not so long ago following critical comments about Saudi Arabia by Ministers in their countries. The relationship increased in February 2014 with the purchase of C$15 billion worth of Canadian arms by Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s decision to effectively downgrade diplomatic ties with Canada, cut cultural/student contacts and freeze commercial ties was not pre-meditated. Les relations bilatérales entre le Canada et l’Arabie saoudite comportent des intérêts communs sur bon nombre de questions relatives à la paix et à la sécurité, notamment la sécurité énergétique, les affaires humanitaires (y compris les réfugiés) et la lutte contre le terrorisme. In this panel, we will discuss how the West, including the United States and its allies, can utilize multilateral diplomacy with its adversaries to prevent military escalation in the region. Luciano Zaccara: Assistant Professor, Qatar University, Dania Thafer: Executive Director, Gulf International Forum, Kayhan Barzegar: Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the Science and Research Branch of Azad University, Barbara Slavin: Director of Iran Initiative, Atlantic Council, Sanam Shantyaei: Senior Journalist at France24 & host of Middle East Matters. CJPME: Ottawa Should End Paradoxical Arms Deal with Saudis Montreal, October 25, 2018 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) calls on Canada to end, once and for all, its arms trade with Saudi Arabia. These two examples may lack the pizazz of a widely shared social media post, but they had a practical value on the ground that no tweet could ever hope to match. Currently, the two nations are strategic allies and partners. Canada has nothing to apologize for. Saudi Arabia’s decision to jail prominent women’s rights activists Samar Badawi and Nassima al-Sadah sparked a concerned tweet by Global Affairs Canada and one by Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland that set off a diplomatic and trade relations commotion. info@peacediplomacy.org. Les relations bilatérales entre le Canada et l’Arabie saoudite comportent des intérêts communs sur bon nombre de questions relatives à la paix et à la sécurité, notamment la sécurité énergétique, les affaires humanitaires (y compris les réfugiés) et la lutte contre le terrorisme. and more specifically, how Canada can utilize its policy instruments to more effectively deal with the increasing influx of refugees from the Middle East. Notable developments include the United States gradual withdrawal from the region, rapprochement between Israel and some GCC states through the Abraham Accords and the rise of Chinese and Russian regional engagement. However, serious obstacles remain for responsible actors in expanding non-proliferation efforts toward a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East. While the split could have some lasting effects on business ties between the two countries, it is not likely to lead to a permanent freeze in their diplomatic relationship. Fiche documentaire : Version HTML | Version PDF * (134 ko). The Canada Saudi Relationship The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a large, growing G20 economy that is undergoing rapid development, and with a young demographic and a growing middle class, has large and growing needs for goods, services and infrastructure (it is the world's 21st largest importer), and the means to pay for it (reserves of over $700 billion). With these new trends in the Middle East, it is timely to investigate the security implications of the Biden administration’s Middle East policy. But there is a way forward and there is precedent. Meanwhile, regional actors have engaged in an unprecedented pursuit of arms accumulation. Bill Law is a Middle East analyst. – Dmitri Trenin: Director of Carnegie Moscow Center, – Joost R. Hiltermann: Director of MENA Programme, International Crisis Group, – Roxane Farmanfarmaian: Affiliated Lecturer in International Relations of the Middle East and North Africa, University of Cambridge, – Andrew A. Michta: Dean of the College of International and Security Studies at Marshall Center, – Kelley Vlahos: Senior Advisor, Quincy Institute. That doesn’t require sacrificing Canadian principles. Moreover, the Liberal government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces an election in the coming year and is loath to appear overly conciliatory on such issues. L’Arabie saoudite est un chef de file des mondes arabe et musulman et le gardien des deux mosquées saintes (La Mecque et Médina). On one hand, the Kremlin has maintained its military presence in Syria, and on the other hand, China has signed an unprecedented 25-year strategic agreement with Iran. Le gouvernement saoudien joue un rôle … Despite their dissatisfaction with Canada’s neglect of the relationship and Ottawa’s singular focus on human rights, the Saudi-Canada relationship … Relations between Canada and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are interesting. Sergio Marchi: Canada’s Former Minister of International Trade, – Scott Jolliffe: Chairperson, Canada Arab Business Council, – Esfandyar Batmanghelidj: Founder and Publisher of Bourse & Bazaar, – Nizar Ghanem: Director of Research and Co-founder at Triangle, – Nicki Siamaki: Researcher at Control Risks. The federal government has an opportunity to seize this untapped potential and provide inclusive platforms that can help facilitate trade in the region, advocating business diplomacy between Canada and these immigrants’ home countries in the region. Canada’s ability to actually have an impact and genuinely advance its values or human rights agenda in Saudi Arabia suffered. Canada’s determination to stand its ground and absorb the costs won it plaudits from human rights constituencies at home and abroad. Department of Academic Relations and Admissions collaborates with Canadian post-secondary institutions that support the mission of the SACB in Canada. The Western powers have failed to effectively manage the increasing threat of proliferation in the Middle East. Note: The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Institute for Peace & Diplomacy or its executive team. Tehran has also provided sophisticated weaponry to various militia groups across the region to strengthen its geopolitical position against Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Israel. Ottawa’s pro-immigration multicultural policies have helped attract skilled workers from the region, allowing them to integrate and become financially successful dual citizens. Des milliers de Canadiens figurent parmi les quelque deux millions de musulmans qui font le hajj annuel (ou pèlerinage) à La Mecque. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have imported billions of both Western and Russian-made weapons and funded militant groups across the region, intending to contain their regional adversaries, particularly Iran. There is a way out of this, but it won’t be easy or entirely comfortable. Another, more direct, example of Canadian support for change was the contribution Canada was making to teacher training as part of a broader Saudi initiative to reform the way their sclerotic school system functions. Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister, said Canada was continuing to engage diplomatically and politically with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has expelled the Canadian ambassador and suspended new trade and investment with Ottawa after Canada’s foreign ministry urged … OTTAWA/RIYADH/DUBAI (Reuters) - For years, Canadian pressure on human rights in Saudi Arabia had elicited no more than a standard rejection. With Canada’s Middle East Engagement Strategy expiring this year, it is time to examine and evaluate this massive investment in the Middle East region in the past five years. Canada and the Great Power Triangle in the 2020s, A Better Arena for Competition: Climate—Why China and the United States Should Compete for Setting New CO2 Reduction Targets, China’s Development: Its Impact on the World and Canada-China Relations, China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its Impact on North Atlantic Interests | Dr. Christopher Mott, February 24 Panel: Assessing Canada-China Relations – Challenges and Opportunities, The Future of Canada-US Relations after the 2020 US Presidential Elections, Beirut Explosion: How Canada Can Help Lebanon, Coronavirus: Why Canada Must Recalibrate its Foreign Aid Policy, Canada must remain pragmatic with China amid COVID-19, Panel Discussion: The Future of Canada-China Relations. – Peggy Mason: Canada’s former Ambassador to the UN for Disarmament, – Mark Fitzpatrick: Associate Fellow & Former Executive Director, International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), – Ali Vaez: Iran Project Director, International Crisis Group, – Negar Mortazavi: Journalist and Political Analyst, Host of Iran Podcast, – David Albright: Founder and President of the Institute for Science and International Security. While success is far from certain – and the economic fallout from the pandemic, coupled with MBS’s penchant for self-inflicted wounds, raises real questions about the program’s viability going forward – many of the reforms being pursued have had a positive impact, especially on the role of women in Saudi society (although there is much more that needs to happen). Bill Law. On the other hand, with international terrorist networks and intense regional rivalry in the Middle East, it is impractical to discuss peace and security without addressing terrorism and the arms race in the region. While these challenges pose serious risks to Canadian security, Ottawa will also have the opportunity to limit such risks and prevent a spillover effect vis-à-vis effective humanitarian initiatives in the region. To say that the Saudi reaction was a surprise would be an understatement. The security architecture of the Middle East has undergone rapid transformations in an exceptionally short period. The abrupt derailment had all the hallmarks of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s (MBS) impulsive nature and hyper-sensitivity to criticism (international or domestic). Les intérêts commerciaux et économiques demeurent au premier plan des relations bilatérales du Canada avec l’Arabie saoudite. Saudi Canada Trade Relation: So far this year, Canada has exported C$1.4 billion ($1.08 billion) in merchandise goods to Saudi Arabia and imported C$2 billion in imports, leaving it with a cumulative year-to-date trade deficit with the kingdom of about C$640 million, according to Statistics Canada data. The Middle East continues to grapple with violence and instability, particularly in Yemen, Syria and Iraq. But it was a pyrrhic victory. The panel will also discuss the role of other major powers, including China and Russia in shaping this new security environment in the region, and how the Biden administration will respond to these powers’ increasing regional presence. Le Canada est représenté au Yémen par son ambassade à Riyad, en Arabie saoudite. This position paper discusses Canada's complex and contradictory relationship with Saudi Arabia. En ce qui a trait aux échanges commerciaux, l’Arabie saoudite est actuellement le deuxième marché d’exportation en importance du Canada dans la région. Meanwhile, Russia and China have significantly maintained and even expanded their regional activities. From a broader geopolitical perspective, with the need to secure its energy imports, China is also expected to increase its footprint in the region and influence the mentioned challenges. Canada wasn’t looking for this kind of fight either. Chrystia Freeland during the Munich Security Conference 2018. 7 Aug 2018 The unexpected diplomatic feud between Canada and Saudi Arabia exposes the fragility of the latter’s reform agenda. Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation, bituminous substances and mineral waxes account for 95 per cent of total imports from Saudi Arabia, totalling about US$1.9 billion in 2017. In 2000, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien made a state visit to Saudi Arabia. The success of these and other Educational reforms will be a key element in the transformation of Saudi society over the longer term. It will take a level of political commitment and sustained engagement – at the most senior levels – that may not be entirely popular among the constituencies who cheered Canada’s “principled” stand and continue to champion the idea of “ghosting” the Kingdom. – Ferry De Kerchove: Canada’s Former Ambassador to Egypt, – Dennis Horak: Canada’s Former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, – Bijan Ahmadi: Executive Director, Institute for Peace & Diplomacy, – David Dewitt: University Professor Emeritus, York University. Tweeting is Public Relations, not diplomacy. It is cordial in that the two cooperate on shared interests while they usually ensure that disagreements maintain a low profile. Erica Di Ruggiero: Director of Centre for Global Health, University of Toronto, Reyhana Patel: Head of Communications & Government Relations, Islamic Relief Canada, Amir Barmaki: Former Head of UN OCHA in Iran, Catherine Gribbin: Senior Legal Advisor for International and Humanitarian Law, Canadian Red Cross. * Si vous avez besoin d'un plugiciel ou d'un logiciel tiers pur accéder a ce ficher, veuillez consultez la section formats de rechange de notre page aide. Le Canada continue d'appeler toutes les parties au conflit à respecter leurs obligations en vertu du droit international humanitaire. The Government had issued similar – if less incendiary – tweets in the past (as had other countries) with little blowback. The tweet demanding the “immediate release” of women rights activists unjustly detained on fabricated “security” allegations, provided MBS with the opportunity to send a message to the international community: Critics of Saudi Arabia would pay a heavy price. – Hon. They tick brand boxes in a search for “Likes”. In this case, however, Canada’s penchant for being seen to be on the “right side” with a tweet undermined the Government’s ability to actually have a meaningful impact. Plus de 15,000 Saoudiens étudient au Canada, notamment 800 médecins résidents et spécialistes qui offrent ainsi leurs soins à la population canadienne.