Canada’s foreign policy is Canada ’s general course in international affairs . Foreign policy governs Canada’s relationship with other nations. This policy is being implemented by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs .
History
In 1909, Canada opened the Department of Foreign Affairs, which began to regulate relations with other countries, without the participation of British diplomats . By the 1930s, Canada had opened diplomatic missions in London , Paris , Washington , Tokyo and Geneva . After the end of World War II, Canada increased its diplomatic presence in almost all countries of the world. In 1982, Canada’s international trade was transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Canada is currently actively responding to actions that threaten peace and security, in particular the DPRK nuclear missile program . The Canadian government imposed additional sanctions against the DPRK after the death of the South Korean corvette Cheonan . Canada has consistently opposed the Iranian nuclear program , and has also advocated respect for human rights in that country. Canada reacted negatively to the ironic comments of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States of America at a meeting of the UN General Assembly , as well as his statement on Holocaust denial and the unacceptability of Israel . Canadian troops participate in UN peacekeeping missions in countries such as Afghanistan , the Republic of Haiti, and Sudan .
The Canadian government is closely monitoring the situation in Myanmar and advocates for the development of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law in that country. Canada has consistently called on the Government of Myanmar to respect human rights and ensure access to justice for the entire population of the country , and has introduced the most stringent sanctions in the world against Myanmar. In 1995, Canada had a serious diplomatic conflict with Spain , which triggered the onset of the Halibut War . The relations between these two countries were finally normalized in 2007, after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation in the field of fisheries.
The American continent is a key foreign policy priority for the Canadian government. Economic prosperity, democratic stability and the security of Canadian citizens are linked to neighboring countries. Canada’s concept for the region is based on three principles: security, increased well-being of citizens, and the strengthening of democratic principles. In 2010, it was 20 years since Canada entered the Organization of American States (OAS). Canada views the OAS as a platform for cooperation with American countries on such priority issues as: democratic governance, human rights, security and economic development. Particularly important for Canada is relations with its southern neighbors: the United States and Mexico , with which it has a free trade agreement .
Canada's policy in the Middle East remains unchanged. Canada supports the creation of an independent Palestinian state through negotiations with Israel , and also advocates the peaceful coexistence of Israel with its Arab neighbors. In January 2017, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau fired Foreign Minister Stefan Dion , who was an experienced politician, was also the leader of the Liberal Party and the leader of the official opposition . As Foreign Minister, Stefan Dion has been criticized for selling armored vehicles worth $ 15 billion and for hesitating to accept a statement in the House of Commons that defines the Islamic State’s actions as genocide . The next Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada was Hristia Freeland .
Since March 2014, she has been included in the list of Canadian officials who are banned from entering Russia in response to Canadian sanctions against Russia . Hristia Freeland takes a consistent stand on criticism of Russian politics . For example, in 1996, she said that "the Russians have no one to blame but themselves for the brutal dictatorship that they created in their own country and imposed on neighboring countries." Patrick Armstrong, a former Canadian Department of Defense analyst who also served as political adviser at the Canadian Embassy in Moscow , suggested that Hristia Freeland has a personal interest because of her Ukrainian origin. However, Canada’s foreign policy in this area will not undergo significant changes , as the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine is gradually disappearing from the headlines of the mainstream media.