This first official visit in over 15 years has been an opportunity for us to get to know one another better and further strengthen the current ties between Canada and Spain. We share both common values and common goals. Earlier today, we discussed the major challenges facing our citizens and the need to work together to advance priorities.

Our commitment to building a world that is more open and more democratic is one of those shared priorities. Countries like Canada and Spain bear the special responsibility to promote democracy and human rights around the globe and to work together on pressing questions like peace and migration - a responsibility Prime Minister Sanchez and I are both taking up. Canadians are proud to serve alongside their Spanish allies in peace and security operations around the world. The NATO mission in Latvia led by Canada and the International Coalition Against Daesh are just two examples of our close collaboration as partners and allies.

We also used this meeting to discuss another common priority, gender equality. We continued the discussion we started at the NATO summit about the need to promote gender equality as Canada and Spain move closer together economically. To grow our respective economies, more women are needed in leadership positions and in areas where they are often under-represented, such as technology and business. Nationwide policies, such as training women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, more flexible parental leave and affordable and high-quality child care spaces, are crucial to achieving this. But this commitment to promoting gender equality extends beyond our borders. Together, we will continue to make empowering women a priority in our foreign policy and in our engagement with international institutions such as the United Nations. Canada and Spain share common values, but also an identity as coastal countries. Prime Minister Sánchez and I are also united in our ambition to ensure environmental protection. We agreed on the need to work together to fight climate change. The Prime Minister and I discussed our shared commitment to implement the Paris Agreement and to work together to protect the oceans.

This afternoon Pedro and I also talked about how we can work together to create economic growth that benefits everyone. Our two countries are united in our commitment to expanding progressive trade between Canada and Spain that promotes environmental sustainability, labour rights, and gender equality. Across Canada we’re seeing how progressive deals like the Canada-European Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement open up new opportunities for our businesses and create good-paying, middle-class jobs. Here in this city, the Port of Montréal is now hiring more people to keep up with the growing demand for Canadian products.

Finally, Premier Sánchez and I took this opportunity to reflect on the ties between Canadians and Spaniards. Ties that form the basis of our partnership. Here in Montréal and across the country, we hear people speaking Spanish with pride. Many Spanish students choose our universities and enrich the classrooms. Simply go down Saint-Laurent and you will see the impact Spanish heritage has had on the city of Montréal and on Montréalers. It is clear that our two countries are not only reliable partners, but long-standing friends. And I know that friendship will continue to flourish in the years to come.

Later today Pedro and I will continue our very productive discussion about shared values like diversity and support for democracy around the world and our common goal to build economies that work for everyone at the Canada 2020 Global Progress Summit. I’m very much looking forward to this next part of his visit.