On May 24, Canada and Saudi Arabia issued a statement saying that the two countries had agreed to fully restore diplomatic relations and would appoint new ambassadors. The move marks the end of a dispute between the two countries that began in 2018, and Reuters reported that relations and trade between the two countries had been severely affected by the dispute.
According to the statement issued by the Canadian and Saudi sides, the decision of the two countries to restore diplomatic relations was discussed and made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Mohammed during the APEC summit in Bangkok last November.
Screenshot of the statement of the Saudi Foreign Ministry
Screenshot of the Canadian Foreign Affairs statement
"The two sides hope to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries on the basis of mutual respect and common interests," the statement said.
Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Ottawa (Infographic)
Earlier, in 2018, the Canadian Embassy in Riyadh posted a tweet in Arabic urging the immediate release of women's rights activists held in Saudi Arabia.
In response, the Saudis recalled their ambassador to Canada, imposed a new ban on trade between the two sides and expelled Dennis Horak, then Canada's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, according to the Financial Times. Saudi Arabia has also cancelled a scholarship program for thousands of Saudi students attending Canadian universities.
In 2021, Saudi Arabia was Canada's largest export market in the region, with exports amounting to 2.186 billion Canadian dollars (about 11.356 billion yuan), official data showed. In the same year, Canada imported 2.364 billion Canadian dollars (about 12.281 billion yuan) from Saudi Arabia. Almost all of Canada's imports are petroleum and petrochemicals. More than 80 per cent of Canada's exports to Saudi Arabia are transportation equipment.
2021 Canada and Saudi Arabia Import and Export Data Table, Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada website
According to the latest Reuters report, a Canadian government source familiar with the agreement between the two sides said that "punitive trade measures will be lifted."
The source added: "At the end of the day, the empty chairs [diplomatic vacancies] have not advanced our (Canada's) interests, nor do they advance [Saudi Arabia's] human rights and other issues." ”
Roland Paris, a former foreign policy adviser to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a professor at the University of Ottawa, commented, "Saudi Arabia is important in the region. It's an important player," and "it makes sense for the ambassador to go back in order to keep the lines of communication open [on both sides of Gaza]." ”
Former Canadian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dennis Holak (data map), pictured from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Dennis Horak, the former Canadian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, who was expelled at the time, said that they (Saudi Arabia) play an important role and are difficult to ignore. "I think having a full diplomatic relationship with them allows our voice to be heard at the (Saudi) level."
Hollack also claimed that the "human rights situation" in Saudi Arabia would remain a concern for Canada.
Mr. Horak said the best way to express concerns about "human rights issues" was to have a diplomatic presence in the country. "Face-to-face communication at this level is far more effective than sending a bunch of tweets," he said. ”
Canada will appoint Jean-Philippe Linteau as Canada's new ambassador to Riyadh. Linto's previous position was Consul General of Canada in Dubai.
Saudi Arabia has yet to announce its ambassador.
This article is an exclusive manuscript of the Observer Network and may not be reproduced without authorization.