King Felipe VI bet —during his speech at the Spain-Canada Business Meeting held at the MaRS Centre in Toronto— on strengthening the “mutual trust and shared ambition” on which Spain and Canada have built their bilateral relations. The goal, he explained, is to “reduce barriers, promote innovation, and create a business environment in which companies can thrive.”
“Spain and Canada,” recalled Felipe VI, “are going through an excellent moment in their bilateral relations” and “are united by shared principles and values, mutual trust, and a common vision of open trade and investment based on rules.”
The king added that “in times of turbulent waters” and “in a world marked by changing global dynamics,” both countries “stand out for their resilience, but also for their commitment to multilateralism.”
Therefore, before the attending businessmen, Don Felipe assured that in these times “firm anchors” are needed and responded to the request of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who “can count” on Spain as a “reliable partner” to “navigate safely and in good company.”
The king emphasized several times the closeness of Canada to Spain, and to the European Union, betting on increasing economic ties “as strategic allies, guided by pragmatism, without ignoring the common good on a regional or global scale.” “By joining forces, we can develop solid joint projects that create quality jobs, strengthen our industrial supply chains, and drive sustainable growth,” concluded the monarch.
During the meeting, the Spanish Minister of Economy, Carlos Cuerpo, and the Canadian Minister of Digital Innovation, Evan Solomon, signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in Artificial Intelligence. The agreement, according to official sources, “places both countries at the forefront of technological cooperation.”
Yesterday’s day concluded with a meeting with the Spanish community at the University of Toronto, attended by prominent personalities linked to Spain. Following this, the presentation of the III International Poetry Award Joan Margarit to Canadian writer Margaret Atwood took place.
Today, the last day of his stay in Canada, it is planned that Don Felipe will visit Lakefield College School, as part of the 40th anniversary of his time in its classrooms, where he studied the equivalent of COU in the 1984-1985 school year.