At a time when Saudi Arabia and Canada have opened a new chapter in their relations, Jean-Philippe Lintault, Canada's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, and Yemen, emphasized that his country looks forward to strengthening a comprehensive partnership with Saudi Arabia in enhancing regional peace and security and economic cooperation, indicating that “Saudi Vision 2030” drives many Canadian companies to seek a share in the Kingdom.

Lintault said to "Asharq Al-Awsat" in Riyadh: "I am pleased with this great momentum that has been generated in our bilateral relationship since May 2023, when our two countries officially restored full diplomatic relations to their previous level. Many Canadian companies are either exploring opening offices in Saudi Arabia or considering doing so to take advantage of the huge business opportunity in the Kingdom," pointing out that "since then, our leaders, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, have met on several occasions, and there have been substantive and friendly high-level visits in both directions, and we expect more in the future."

He continued: “Through the repeated invitation to different actors for talks on a peace formula to end the war in Ukraine, Saudi Arabia is also playing a constructive diplomatic role regarding global peace and security. We will continue to work together towards a safer and more prosperous world.”

Lintault said: "I look forward to expanding bridges between Canada and Saudi Arabia across a range of shared priorities, starting from enhancing economic prosperity and contributing to vibrant communities, to bolstering regional peace and security. We recognize that having a safe and stable region will enhance the success of Saudi Vision 2030.”

He affirmed that "while the region is passing through a risky moment, the Kingdom's leadership has worked to encourage de-escalation and seek conflict resolution, whether in Sudan, Yemen, or recently in Gaza, where Canada shares with the Kingdom the commitment to the two-state solution aimed at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

A wonderful country

Lintault continued: "It is my pleasure to serve in this wonderful country during a time of change and optimism about our bilateral relationship. I have greatly enjoyed meeting Saudis in Riyadh and across the Kingdom, and I appreciate their generous hospitality, their motivations to achieve Vision 2030, and their hopes for the future.”

He added: “I am happy to work with Ambassador Amal Al-Muallem in Ottawa, a leading and highly experienced Saudi diplomat, as we continue to revitalize the rich ties between our countries and seize the opportunities offered by this new era.”

Lintault expected Canadian companies to increase their investments in the Saudi Vision 2030 programs, which successfully diversify the Saudi economy, and the wide opportunities for bilateral cooperation in traditional, new, and innovative sectors, such as culture, tourism, and clean technology.

He stressed encouraging more educational exchanges between Saudi and Canadian youth, which would contribute to changing misconceptions about both countries and push towards greater understanding between Canadians and Saudis toward new partnerships and aspirations.

Lintault said: “Today, Canadians at home and around the world celebrate Canada’s National Flag Day. On this day in 1965, one of our country’s most famous symbols - the maple leaf - was raised on Parliament Hill for the first time. For Canadians, the maple leaf is synonymous with our identity and symbolizes peace, unity, openness, diversity, and inclusion - a reflection of Canadian society.”

The maple leaf

Lintault added: “In my role as Canada’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, I am pleased to see the maple leaf flying over our embassy in Riyadh every day, reminding us proudly of our Canadian identity. I am also happy to witness what has been a remarkable new chapter in the expanding bilateral relations between Canada and the Kingdom.”

Lintault pointed out that Saudi Arabia is a truly dynamic country still undergoing tremendous changes, indicating that many ongoing reforms in the Kingdom are those adopted by Canada, such as empowering women and youth, enhancing economic prosperity, and modernizing governance. “Supporting the success of Saudi Vision 2030 and identifying partnership opportunities with the Kingdom during this transformation is beneficial for both our countries.”

According to Lintault, Saudi events, such as the Future Minerals Forum and the Future Investment Initiative, attract an increasing number of Canadian business visitors, as these visits provide companies the opportunity to witness the successful diversification of the Saudi economy and the wide opportunities for bilateral cooperation in traditional, new, and innovative sectors like culture, tourism, and clean technology.

Lintault added: “Popular ties between the two countries are the cornerstone of our relations, as a large number of Saudi graduates who studied at Canadian universities have contributed to deepening relations between our peoples. To this end, we are pleased that Canada once again appears on the list of scholarships provided by the Saudi government for students wishing to study in Canada.”