Luxembourg Opens Embassy in Canada

Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, paid an official visit to Canada from Tuesday 10 to Thursday 12 June 2025.

As reported by Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, this visit provided the opportunity to inaugurate the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Canada. During his speech at the raising of the Luxembourg flag in front of Ottawa City Hall, in the presence of Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, and at the reception organised for the inauguration, Minister Bettel reviewed bilateral relations between Luxembourg and Canada. He emphasised that the official opening of the Luxembourg Embassy in Ottawa coincides with the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Luxembourg and Canada and recalled that the two countries have long maintained a special relationship.

Beyond historical relations, Minister Bettel also discussed current diplomatic relations, based on shared values ​​and a shared commitment to international organisations. Furthermore, the head of Luxembourg's diplomacy highlighted the excellent economic relations between the two countries: Luxembourg ranks seventh among foreign direct investors (FDI) in Canada, while Canada ranks fifth among non-EU countries in terms of FDI in Luxembourg.

Summing up diplomatic relations, Minister Bettel noted: "Canada and Luxembourg may be different in size and history, but ultimately, we realise that we can go further and faster together."

In Ottawa, Minister Bettel also held political meetings with Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, and Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu. In addition to bilateral relations, these two meetings also provided an opportunity to discuss current political issues, including global trade, preparations for the June 2025 UN conference on the two-state solution in New York, Russian aggression against Ukraine, and the 2025 NATO Summit.

Regarding the current global trade situation, the impact of tariffs on the EU and Canada was a central topic of discussion. Minister Bettel and his counterpart, Minister Sidhu, emphasised the importance of the European market for Canada, and vice versa. The ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) by all EU member states could further boost trade between Canada and European economies. Minister Bettel discussed the possibility of organising an upcoming economic mission with Luxembourg companies to Canada.

In addition to the political meetings, Minister Bettel met with representatives of the Canadian economic sector and participated in a meeting with the heads of delegation of EU member states in Canada.