Ottawa – Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has travelled to Pristina, Kosovo, and be there from April 14 to 17. During his trip, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will attend the second International Forum for Women, Peace and Security (WPS Forum), where he will participate in various activities and panel discussions aimed at developing new strategies and frameworks for action in the wake of an ever-changing security environment in the Western Balkans, Europe and beyond.
He will deliver an address at the WPS Forum, in a ministerial discussion titled “Voices matter: A global call to end conflict related sexual violence”. Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will also engage with leadership from both Kosovo Force (KFOR) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Mission on Canada’s role in supporting efforts for peace and stability in the region.
While in Kosovo, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will also meet with regional leaders, senior government officials and key partners. During these meetings, he will discuss how Canada can support the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue towards a comprehensive agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, and identify further opportunities for Canada and Kosovo to continue promoting peace, political stability, and economic progress in the Western Balkans. He is also scheduled to visit Canada Fund for Local Initiatives projects supporting the empowerment of women and youth in Kosovo.
“I am thrilled to participate in the WPS Forum and work with Canada’s international partners to create tools and policies to address rising global challenges. As we mark 25 years since the arrival of thousands of Kosovar refugees in Canada, I’m also looking forward to engaging with representatives of the Kosovar government to explore opportunities that will allow the relationship and cooperation between our two countries to continue growing.” – Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs