Canada and Dominican Republic Conclude New Cooperation Arrangement

June 15, 2015 - Washington, D.C. - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular), met today with Andrés Navarro, Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic, to announce the establishment of the Canada-Dominican Republic Consular Rapid Response Mechanism.

The Consular Rapid Response Mechanism is a bilateral arrangement that will enhance existing cooperation between Canada and the Dominican Republic by ensuring that the appropriate authorities are involved in the early stages of complex consular cases involving citizens of both countries. It will also increase collaboration through regular dialogue on how best to address situations affecting citizens in distress.

Quick Facts

  • A Consular Rapid Response Mechanism facilitates timely high-level engagement in complex consular cases. The goal of this mechanism is to strengthen communication and coordination between consular officials as well as government authorities at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.
  • In 2013, close to 600,000 Canadians travelled to the Dominican Republic, making it Canadians’ third-most visited sun destination, after Mexico and Cuba. Canada is the second-largest source of tourists in the Dominican Republic after the United States.
  • The Canadian government provides consular services in the Dominican Republic through its embassy in Santo Domingo, consulate in Puerto Plata and office in Punta Cana.
  • The Dominican Republic is a valued partner for Canada, which seeks, in its hemispheric engagement, to strengthen security and institutions and to increase mutual prosperity.

Quotes

“As the number of Canadians traveling to the Dominican Republic continues to increase, our government is focused on enhancing diplomatic relations so that we can work efficiently with local authorities. This new cooperation arrangement strengthens and supports collaboration, allowing us to respond quickly to Canadian citizens traveling in the Dominican Republic.”

- Lynne Yelich, Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular)

“The Dominican Republic is strongly committed to providing a safe environment for tourists who visit us. This initiative supports President Danilo Medina’s objectives to boost tourism to 10 million visits a year by 2022 and to achieve regional leadership by obtaining the highest growth in tourism in the Caribbean.”

- Andrés Navarro, Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic

Associated Links

Contacts

Erica Meekes
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular)
343-203-5975
erica.meekes@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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