His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Rashid Al-Hamoudi Al-Mansouri, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Canada, held a celebration in Ottawa on the occasion of the National Day of the State.
The celebration was attended by a number of esteemed ministers, civil and military officials of the Canadian government, led by His Excellency the Minister of International Development Mr. Ahmed Hussen, as well as members of parliament, including members of the Canada-Qatar Parliamentary Friendship Committee, and heads and representatives of diplomatic missions accredited to Canada, and guests of the embassy.
In his speech to the guests, His Excellency Ambassador Al-Mansouri emphasized the depth of bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and Canada, noting that this year's National Day coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He said that cooperation between Qatar and Canada is witnessing qualitative development in size and level year after year, thanks to the efforts made by both sides and the keenness of the leadership of the two countries, which was highlighted by the distinguished visit of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, to Canada last September, where he affirmed on the occasion the desire of the two countries to continue enhancing their bilateral partnership.
For his part, His Excellency Mr. Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, praised the level reached in Canada-Qatar relations thanks to the diligent work of officials from both countries.
His Excellency devoted the greater part of his speech, delivered at the ceremony, to commending the progress achieved by the State of Qatar in various fields, and its growing role on the global stage; noting in this regard the humanitarian actions initiated by the State of Qatar in recent years, especially its interventions during times of distress. He mentioned several examples, including Qatar Airways' transportation of 15,000 Canadians back to their country after they were stranded for days and weeks in many parts of the world due to the suspension of transportation during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that Qatar Airways was the only airline that volunteered to do so while the Canadian government was negotiating with other global carriers.
His Excellency Mr. Oliphant also addressed Qatar's assistance in evacuating Canadians from Afghanistan in 2021, and during the Ukrainian plane crisis that was shot down over Tehran airport in January 2020. This, he said, is what made Canada classify Qatar as a reliable country; inviting His Excellency Ambassador Al-Mansouri to convey the Canadian government's greetings to the Qatari leadership and the people of Qatar, who he said have inspired many of their youth. He referred in this to the opening speech delivered by the young Qatari (Ghanem Al-Muftah) before the heads and delegations of states at the Future Summit at the United Nations last September. The Canadian official said that he had never been moved by speeches given on similar occasions as much as he was by that speech.