Canada has no plans to open embassies in Iran or Venezuela, minister says

Canada currently has no intention of establishing embassies in Iran or Venezuela, stated Foreign Minister Anita Anand. Her remarks came a day after Prime Minister Mark Carney suggested that a lack of diplomatic engagement in certain countries places Canada at a "disadvantage."

“

We do not have plans to open an embassy in Iran or Venezuela at the current time.

"We do not have plans to open an embassy in Iran or Venezuela at the current time," Anand confirmed. Carney had previously emphasized that engagement does not equate to endorsement, noting that having diplomatic representation does not signify approval of a country's policies. He highlighted that the absence of diplomats on the ground in Caracas makes it difficult for Ottawa to provide assistance to Canadians in Venezuela, especially in the wake of recent deadly earthquakes.

“

Engagement is not endorsement. Having an embassy, having consular services in a country does not mean we endorse the policies of that country.

Anand explained that Canada is collaborating with its mission in Bogota, Colombia, to support the roughly 800 Canadians registered in Venezuela. "In terms of Venezuela, we are working with our mission in Bogota, Colombia, to ensure that the approximately 800 Canadians who are registered there have the support that they need," she said.

“

In terms of Venezuela, we are working with our mission in Bogota, Colombia, to ensure that the approximately 800 Canadians who are registered there have the support that they need.

Despite the lack of plans for new embassies in Iran or Venezuela, Anand affirmed that Ottawa is continuously seeking ways to serve Canadians abroad. "We do want to always support Canadians in either of those jurisdictions or anywhere else in the world to the very best of our ability. And that requires us to have consular officials who can have the opportunity to offer that support," she added. The minister also mentioned Canada's efforts to deepen economic, energy, and defense ties with Turkey, including progress toward a potential free trade agreement.

“

We do want to always support Canadians in either of those jurisdictions or anywhere else in the world to the very best of our ability. And that requires us to have consular officials who can have the opportunity to offer that support.