Minister of State Ablonczy Concludes Successful Trip to Peru and Honduras

March 23, 2012 - The Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs), today concluded an official visit to Peru and Honduras.

“Peru and Honduras are important partners for Canada in the Americas,” said Minister of State Ablonczy. “This visit served to strengthen these key bilateral relationships.”

In Peru, Minister of State Ablonczy met with Prime Minister Oscar Valdés and Foreign Affairs Minister Rafael Roncagliolo to exchange views on strengthening democratic institutions in the region, bilateral trade, investment and education cooperation, and on addressing the threat posed by transnational crime.

“Canada is pleased by our growing relationship with Peru. Peru is a key partner in the Americas, and we are looking to continue our high-level engagement and to further our cooperation, both bilaterally and regionally.”

In Honduras, Minister of State Ablonczy announced that Canada will provide $130,000 this year to assist victims of gender-based violence.

“Gender-based violence is the second-highest cause of death, after HIV/AIDS, among women of reproductive age in Honduras,” the Minister noted. “The goal of this initiative is to support Honduras in providing more timely care and responses to women who have been victims of violence.”

Canada will also provide $200,000 in funding this year for the implementation of recommendations made by the Honduran Truth and Reconciliation Commission in its final report.

“Canada reiterates its support for the Honduran reconciliation efforts and reaffirms its commitment to assist the Government of Honduras in meeting serious security challenges,” said the Minister of State.

Canada’s contributions are funded through the Global Peace and Security Fund, which is managed by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force.

Minister of State Ablonczy held meetings with Honduras’ Vice-President María Antonieta Guillén de Bográn, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Arturo Corrales, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Ana Pineda, and Minister of Security Pompeyo Bonilla.

Prior to travelling to Peru and Honduras, Minister of State Ablonczy was in Montevideo, Uruguay. She chaired the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB’s) Board of Governors’ meeting of behalf of Canada, handing over the role of chair to Uruguay for the next year.

For more information on Canada’s relations within the Americas, please consult The Americas: Our Neighbours, Our Priority, Embassy of Canada to Peru and Bolivia and Embassy of Canada to Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras.

For details on Canada’s participation in the IDB, visit Canada’s partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

John Babcock
Senior Communications Adviser
Office of the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs)
613-944-1291

Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
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