Report Visit of Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker of the Senate, and a Parliamentary Delegation , , Sovereign Military Order of , Holy See and Malta,

October 11 – October 18, 2009

The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker of the Senate, and a delegation of Senators visited Albania, Italy, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, the Holy See and Malta from October 11 to 18, 2009. The delegation has the honour of tabling its Report The official delegation led by Speaker Noël A. Kinsella comprised the following members: The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker of the Senate and Mrs. Ann Kinsella The Honourable Marcel Prud’homme, P.C., Senator The Honourable David Tkachuk, Senator The Honourable Elizabeth Hubley, Senator Ms. Janelle Feldstein, Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the Senate Mr. Daniel Charbonneau, Secretary to the Delegation Context - Albania Located on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, the Republic of Albania is bordered by Montenegro and Serbia to the north, Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the south. Its population of 3.12 million (2005 estimate) is 95 per cent Albanian and 3 per cent Greek. Following the Second World War, the People’s Republic of Albania was proclaimed in January 1946 and, over the next four decades, the communist regime closed off the country to the rest of the world. Following the collapse of communism in Central and Eastern Europe, political and economic reforms were introduced and by 1991 the country was renamed the Republic of Albania with a multi-party . Albania is a parliamentary republic; legislative authority is vested in the unicameral People’s Assembly. Following constitutional amendments and the adoption of a new electoral code in 2008, Albania’s members of are now elected with closed candidate lists in 12 constituencies that correspond to the administrative regions of the country. Context - Holy See Occupying half a square kilometre in the heart of Rome, the Holy See (Vatican City) is the central government of the Roman Catholic Church. It is the spiritual home of the Church and was formally recognized as a sovereign and independent state by the Italian government with the Lateran Pacts of 1929. The Holy See encourages the religious observance of an estimated one billion Roman Catholics around the world and plays a significant role as a unique observer of international events and player on the international stage. Context – Sovereign Military Order of Malta Founded in 1048 as a monastic community dedicated to helping the sick and the needy, the Order was originally known as the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Through the Middle Ages, it evolved into a religious and military chivalrous order of the Roman Catholic Church and is commonly known today as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a sovereign subject of international law. The Order has its own government, an independent magistracy, bilateral diplomatic relations with 96 countries and is granted the status of Permanent Observer in many international organizations, including the United Nations. On June 4, 2008, Canada established official relations with the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta, which is the full proper name, through an exchange of letters between Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Order’s Grand Master, Fra' Matthew Festing. Context – Italy Italy is situated in southern Europe, just south of the Alps, and includes France, Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia among its neighbours. It forms a peninsula that extends far into the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory also includes several islands, among them Sicily and Sardinia. The northern part of the country is more industrialized and somewhat more developed than the southern part. Relations between Canada and Italy are characterized by similar values and objectives, shared responsibilities and frequent common positions in multilateral institutions. Italy is a partner to Canada at the G8, North Atlantic Treaty Organization and in several other organizations that contribute to international initiatives and dialogue that are key from the Canadian perspective. Context – Malta The Republic of Malta lies in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya. It is an archipelago comprising five islands, two of which are uninhabited. With a total area of 316 km2, Malta is very small; by way of contrast, Prince Edward Island is approximately 17 times its size. However, the country’s total population in 2007 was 419,285, giving Malta a population density of 1,282 persons per km2, by far the highest in the European Union and among the highest population densities in the world. The capital city is , home to about 6,300 Maltese. Canada enjoys warm relations with Malta. Along with shared membership in the Commonwealth, theUN and the OSCE, a significant Maltese-Canadian community helps to sustain bilateral ties. Objectives The objectives of the visit were to: enhance relations between Canada and Albania, Italy, the Sovereign Order of Malta, the Holy See, and Malta; encourage ongoing parliamentary dialogue by further promoting parliamentary exchanges; highlight the range of Canada’s interests in the region; discuss foreign policies with respect to issues of international and mutual interest; promote education exchanges; promote research sharing in the area of agriculture; promote collaboration between container shipping ports; and pursue good relations in all fields of contact. Meetings – Albania In Albania, the delegation met with: His Excellency , President of the Republic of Albania; His Excellency , Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania; Her Excellency Jozefina Topalli, Speaker of the Parliament; His Excellency , Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; His Excellency Ferdinand Xhaferri, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sport; His Excellency Dritan Prifti, Minister of the Economy, Trade and Energy; His Excellency Myqerem Tafaj, Minister of Education and Science; His Excellency Sokol Olldashi, Minister of Public Works, Transport and Telecommunications; His Excellency Robert Bosch, Head of OSCE Presence in the Republic of Albania; Ms. Zana Xhuka, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Defence; Rear Admiral Kudret Cela, Commander, Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania; Monsignor Rrok Mirdita, Archbishop of Durrës-; Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi, Bektashi Order of Sufi Dervishes; Grand Mufti Haxhi Selim Muça, Sunni Muslim Community; His Beatitude Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and All Albania, Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania; Mr. Eduard Ndreu, Director, Durres Port Authority; Mr. Arben Ibroja, General Director of Port Customs, Custom Branch – Durres, Ministry of Finance; Mr. Suneel Gupta, Vice-president, Production and Operations, Bankers Petroleum Ltd; Mr. Richard Ferguson, Director, Finance and Corporate Services, Bankers Petroleum Ltd; Ms. Aurela Anastasi, Helsinki Committee on Human Rights; Ms. Elsa Ballauri, Albanian Human Rights Centre; Ms. Kozara Kati, Albanian Centre for Human Rights; Mr. Gjin Marku, Committee on NationWide Reconciliation; Ms. Aferdita Prroni, Human Rights in Democracy Centre. Meeting with His Excellency Bamir Topi, President of the Republic of Albania The President of the Republic of Albania, His Excellency Bamir Topi, welcomed Speaker Kinsella and the delegation and thanked them for their visit. He stated that visits such as this one are important parts of building good relations between countries. As a former parliamentarian, he understands that key decisions are taken in and frequent contacts between elected officials are needed to sustain the positive bonds of friendship. President Topi then outlined his country’s international objecti ves. It has achieved its goals of gaining a seat within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and is thankful for Canada’s ongoing support. The next step is accession to the European Union. To accomplish this goal, Albania is undergoing structural reforms to satisfy the EU entry requirements. Finally, the President expressed his interest in Canada’s immigration system which successfully integrates new migrants into its society. For his part, Speaker Kinsella thanked the President for his warm welcome . From what he has seen, Canada was right in supporting Albania’s admission to NATO. He said that, while Canada is one of the oldest democracies in the world, it can learn many new things from younger parliamentary institutions which are noted for their innovation and openness to fresh ideas. The Speaker also spoke about some of the objectives of his visit. These include building greater linkages between the Senate of Canada and the , promoting closer ties in education and promoting alliances between ports in Atlantic Canada and those in Albania. Senator Tkachuk expressed astonishment with respect to Albania’s achievements since the fall of communism and echoed Speaker Kinsella’s sentiment regarding learning from younger democracies. He spoke about the responsibility of parliamentarians to universally promote and protect democratic institutions in countries that suffered oppression. Senator Hubley spoke about the importance of education and culture in today’s global society, noting that there is a collective responsibility to ensure access to these institutions for all individuals. Meeting with His Excellency Sali Berisha, Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania The meeting began with Speaker Kinsella presenting greetings from Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Prime Minister Berisha welcomed the delegation and informed the group that he had the occasion to meet the Canadian Prime Minister during his recent visit to Canada and hoped for a reciprocal visit to Albania. Prime Minister Berisha stated that the high point in Albania’s recent history is its admission to NATO. Membership will provide regional security which is important considering Albania’s difficult past. The next step for his country is joining the European Union. It is his belief that its accession must be earned by introducing important reforms to the basic structure of the Albanian government. Some of these changes must include a revamping of the electoral system, judicial initiatives to crack down on organized crime, money laundering and other criminality. The government has also stepped up its privatization of industries previously under national control. He added that Albania is taking great steps to attract new foreign investments by removing excessive red tape and by providing a favourable business environment. The Prime Minister is looking for more Canadian investments in the mining and energy sectors to utilize Albania’s natural resources. Speaker Kinsella said that one of the objectives of the visit is to begin a dialogue with Canadian firms already operating in Albania, to plant the seeds for further involvement and to see how other players can enter the country as commercial partners. A step in the right direction would be a legal framework for the protection of foreign investment and for the avoidance of double taxation. He is also hoping to open the door for partnerships between Canadian and Albanian organizations. The Speaker added that transatlantic links should not be limited only to economic ventures but should include other sectors like parliamentary exchanges, mentioning the Parliamentary Officers Study Program offered by the Parliament of Canada as an example. Senator Tkachuk congratulated the Prime Minister on his government’s economic policies. He also spoke about future investment opportunities for Canadian firms. Senator Hubley thanked his government for lifting the ban on pork from Canada. Meeting with Her Excellency Jozefina Topalli, Speaker of the Parliament The meeting began with Speaker Topalli welcoming Speaker Kinsella and the Senate delegation to the Parliament of Albania. She spoke about her 2007 trip to Canada. She also said that she was pleased that Speaker Kinsella accepted her invitation for an official visit. Speaker Kinsella thanked Speaker Topalli for receiving him and commented on the importance of parliamentary diplomacy. Since parliaments are not part of the executive branch, their objectives on the international stage are different from those of foreign affairs ministries. Parliamentarians can search out new ideas and approaches to issues and challenges while governments may be limited by political realities or legal constraints in their exploration of controversial solutions. It is by building bridges between parliaments that this goal of sharing new practices can be achieved. The Speaker added that one vital role of is to keep the executive accountable to its citizens. These visits provide an uncensored picture of the Canadian government’s action abroad. He also spoke about the Parliamentary Officers Study Program offered by the Parliament of Canada and presented her with a letter about the program. The Albanian Speaker spoke about her country’s difficult past under a communist regime. Since the collapse of its ruling dictatorship in 1991, Albania has come along way. It now has a free market economy, private land ownership and freedom of religion. Other recent successes include the privatization of 85 per cent of state owned enterprises. Economic growth last year was eight per cent and tourism increased by 36 per cent. Both presiding officers discussed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Speaker Kinsella expressed his satisfaction with Albania’s addition to the organization and sincerely hoped that parliamentarians from Albania will become active members of its parliamentary assembly. Speaker Topalli thanked Canada for its support of Albania’s ambitions to join the alliance. Albania is moving forward towards fulfilling its responsibilities as a member, which includes taking an active role in Afghanistan. It also hopes to play a greater role on the international stage. Speaker Kinsella added that membership in NATO can lead to further cooperation between Canada and Albania, not only militarily but in other areas like coastal security, trade and education. He commented on Albania’s strategic location as an entry point into the European market and on a continental transportation corridor. Senator Hubley expressed her admiration for the changes undertaken by the Albanian people since 1991. She impressed upon Speaker Topalli the importance of culture as a key part of a country’s spirit and its economy. She hoped that culture will not be overlooked when the government determines spending and development priorities. Speaker Topalli responded that protecting her country’s culture is important but basic needs such as housing should be first. Senator Tkachuk asked what types of Canadian private investments are needed to help Albania’s economy. The Speaker suggested that investments in energy, defence and the banking sector would be most welcome. She is hopeful that Canada will focus more attention on Albania and the region as a whole as a premier destination for foreign investments. Twinning opportunities between chambers of commerce could be a positive step towards this objective. She is also interested in attracting more Canadian tourists to Albania. Finally, Senator Prud’homme informed the group of his presence during the collapse of communism in Albania and that he is pleased with the changes to date. The current visit by Speaker Kinsella is a positive sign of the commitment that Canada is making to build a strong friendship with Albania. The meeting concluded with Speakers Kinsella and Topalli signing a Memorandum of Agreement to “encourage and promote in their respective countries, where possible and appropriate, a strategic alliance between the commercial ports located in Atlantic Canada and Albania” (see Appendix A). Meeting with His Excellency Ilir Meta, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister Meta welcomed the delegation and commented on the good relations between Albania and Canada. In turn, Speaker Kinsella spoke about the Albanian Diaspora in Canada and their constructive contribution to Canadian society. He also discussed the positive developments in . The Speaker commented on the responsibility of countries to prevent states from failing and the need for intervention by the international community. Neighbouring states should intervene when feasible to work toward political accommodation to avoid destabilizing an entire region. The Minister indicated that Albania is looking to strengthen its relationship with Canada and it hopes to receive responses from the Government of Canada on two proposals, an agreement on double taxation and another on the protection of investments. The Speaker responded that he will write to the Canadian Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs to press for a response. He indicated that parliament has an oversight role on the executive branch and visits like this permit parliamentarians to collect vital information to keep governments accountable. The Speaker and the Minister spoke about Albania’s membership in NATO. Minister Meta indicated that their entry into the organization has brought stability to the region. Albania is also engaged, like Canada, in Afghanistan but on a smaller scale. Senator Tkachuk responded by stating that Canada was correct in supporting Albania’s aspiration for membership. As partners in Afghanistan, both nations can work in cooperation to finding a long-term solution to the mission’s ongoing challenges. Speaker Kinsella asked about Albania’s participation in the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Minister answered that they are active participants and have designated many locations as world heritage sites. The Speaker noted that Albania has many unique traits such as a national language, a distinct history and a thriving culture. Senator Hubley added that culture is a celebration of a nation’s people and needs protection. She used architecture as an example of a reflection of local character that needs safeguarding. Meeting with His Excellency Ferdinand Xhaferri, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sport His Excellency Ferdinand Xhaferri welcomed Speaker Kinsella and the delegation. He then spoke about a proposal for an Albanian and Canadian agreement on film co - production. A draft was sent to the Department of Canadian Heritage and his ministry is waiting for a response. The Speaker began by inviting the Minister to visit Canada, especially during the 2010 Winter Olympics in February 2010. He expressed his satisfaction that an agreement on film co-production is moving forward, explaining that he has some familiarity with the Albanian film industry through his contacts in the Marubi Academy of Film & Multimedia. He then spoke about the need to promote a youth travel agreement between Canada and Albania. Senator Hubley recommended to the Minister that arts and culture are good tools for economic development and should not be left out when considering investment in infrastructure. In response, Minister Xhaferri agreed that culture is important but that reforms are needed to cultural institutions in order to reduce their dependency on public funds. For his part, Senator Tkachuk asked how a 36 per cent increase in tourism was achieved last year. Minister Xhaferri indicated that it was due to an aggressive advertising campaign by the government and by strategic investments in infrastructure related to tourism. Meeting with His Excellency Dritan Prifti, Minister of the Economy, Trade and Energy The Minister of the Economy, Trade and Energy, His Excellency Dritan Prifti, welcomed Speaker Kinsella and Senators Prud’homme, Tkachuk and Hubley. He described his role as the Economy Minister and noted that his primary objective is to ensure a proper level of comfort for companies to operate in Albania. His message on every occasion is that his country is open for business and he hopes that many in the international business community will positively recognize his government’s new initiatives. Albania’s natural resources are underdeveloped, especially in the fields of oil, gas and mining and it is looking for foreign players to play a greater role in fulfilling Albania’s economic potential. Speaker Kinsella acknowledged the immense opportunities and encouraged the Minister to visit Canada to meet his counterpart and industry representatives. He noted that a key part of attracting foreign investors is to have a strong legal framework for the protection of investments. He is hopeful that an agreement between Canada and Albania will be forthcoming. The Speaker also spoke about the benefits of a strategic alliance between commercial shipping ports in Atlantic Canada and Albania. Such a partnership could encourage industries to export finished products instead of raw material, which is more beneficial to the national economy. In return for greater access to the Eastern European markets through Albanian ports, the Atlantic Canada Gateway would provide entry into the lucrative North American market. Senator Tkachuk spoke about upcoming projects in Albania by some Canadian firms. He also suggested that if the Minister visits Canada soon, he should travel to Saskatchewan to meet with its economic leaders. His province has sizeable oil, gas and mining industries which can assist the Minister with his objectives. Meeting with His Excellency Myqerem Tafaj, Minister of Education and Science Speaker Kinsella began by advising the Minister that education in Canada is a responsibility delegated to 13 sub-national governments. As a national parliamentarian, he is concerned about the low participation rate of international students attending Canadian universities and the small number of Canadians students attending foreign post-secondary institutions. Students should be given the opportunity to study outside their native country for at least one semester in order to broaden their view of the world and learn about other cultures. International experience should be part of a student’s basic education and school should be a “global academy.” He suggested that improvements to existing academic knowledge sharing networks are needed to encourage more sharing of research. Minister Tafaj expressed his appreciation to the delegation for the meeting. He outlined some of the education reforms underway in Albania. His government is adding more computers in the classroom and investing in more e-learning. Education is a major expenditure and the ministry is closely examining public-private partnerships to improve the level of support. He is looking at the Canadian model to learn more about other options. Collaboration for joint programs and diplomas with universities in Canada is another project that the Minister would like to see happen. The Speaker suggested that two possible vehicles to help initiate a partnership would be the Francophonie and the European Council. Canada and Albania are participants in both organizations and discussions at that level can further pave the way for bilateral agreements. To conclude the meeting, Speaker Kinsella provided some documentation on scholarships available to Albanian students to study in Canada. Meeting with Mr. Suneel Gupta, Vice-president, Production and Operations, and Mr. Richard Ferguson, Director, Finance and Corporate Services, Bankers Petroleum Ltd The delegation met with the two representatives from Bankers Petroleum. With over 200 employees in the country, the company is the largest Canadian firm operating in Albania. Its production accounts for approximately 70 per cent of Albania’s annual oil output. During the meeting, Messrs. Gupta and Ferguson provided an overview of the company’s operations in the Patos-Marinza Oil Field, which is located in the southwestern part of Albania. They also discussed the royalty payment structure to the government for oil and natural gas and future anticipated developments in the industry. The delegation requested information on the company’s infrastructure needs for the delivery of its products to markets. Mr. Gupta spoke about recent investments made by the Albania government in roads and other transportation infrastructure. Finally, the group discussed the company’s social investments in Albania, which includes support for local schools, plus training and professional development opportunities for their locally-based employees. Meeting with His Excellency Robert Bosch, Head of OSCE Presence in the Republic of Albania Speaker Kinsella and the delegation met with Ambassador Robert Bosch, the representative of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Albania. The Ambassador provided an overview of the functioning of the Albanian Parliament and recent political developments. He also presented the findings of the organization’s recent report on the last elections and information about the Albanian electoral mechanism. Roundtable Discussion on Human Rights Speaker Kinsella and the delegation hosted a roundtable discussion with representatives of non-governmental organizations in Albania dealing with human rights. During the meeting, the group discussed Albania’s ratification of several international treaties on human rights and its implementation of these legal instruments. Many representatives indicated that, while some progress has been achieved by the government to fulfill the country’s obligations, more action is needed to make Albania compliant with these agreements as a signatory. They also indicated a great need for enhanced public awareness of human rights and of the state’s responsibilities to its citizens in a modern society. It was particularly noted that the education of Albania’s youth in relation to their rights should be a priority. The Speaker and the delegation heard about initiatives of the government and various other non-governmental organizations to reduce blood feuds among some families in parts of Albania. Feuds have resulted in serious crimes, including human and drug trafficking. Tour of the Port of Durres and a meeting with His Excellency Sokol Olldashi, Minister of Public Works, Transport and Telecommunications; Mr. Eduard Ndreu, Director, Durres Port Authority; and Mr. Arben Ibroja, General Director of Port Customs, Custom Branch – Durres, Ministry of Finance. The delegation traveled to the city of Durres to visit its commercial shipping port. Speaker Kinsella and the delegation toured the security centre and received a presentation on the port’s operations. Following the presentation, they met with the Minister of Public Works, Transport and Telecommunication, the Director of the Port Authority and the General Director of Port Customs. The Speaker presented a letter to Mr. Ndreu from the Presidents of the port authorities in Halifax and Saint John. They discussed the Port of Durres as an access point to the pan-European transportation corridor network and its location as a gateway to the Balkan region. They also reviewed the port facilities and infrastructure to handle shipping containers. Finally, the ports management structure, its new projects and future challenges were discussed. Speaker Kinsella explained that the purpose of his visit was to introduce Atlantic Canadian ports to the Albanian transportation industry. He spoke about a potential partnership giving shippers of commercial goods access to the North American market through Atlantic Canada. In return, Canadians could gai n greater access to the European market. The Speaker also discussed how Canada has integrated its rail system with its ports. He concluded by inviting representatives from the Port of Durres to meet with officials from the various ports in Canada. Tour of the Bishtpalle Naval Base and a meeting with Ms. Zana Xhuka, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Defence and Rear Admiral Kudret Cela, Commander, Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania Following the visit to the Port of Durres, the delegation toured the Bishtpalle Naval Base. The group also met with the Deputy Minister of Defence, Ms. Xhuka and the base commander, Rear Admiral Cela. During a presentation, Speaker Kinsella and the delegation heard about the Albanian Armed Forces’ current missions including humanitarian and search and rescue operations. The presentation described the Joint Forces Command and the military’s modernization and transformation plans over the next few years. Finally, the delegation learned about the Forces’ participation in Operation Endeavour in the Mediterranean Sea. After the presentation, the group discussed the forces’ air lift capabilities. Meeting with Monsignor Rrok Mirdita, Archbishop of Durrës-Tirana Monsignor Mirdita reviewed the structure of the Archdiocese and the history of the Roman Catholic Church during the oppressive era of communist rule. He also spoke about the rebuilding efforts after the fall of communism in Eastern and Centre Europe. He stated that the Church in Albania is in good condition and has good relations with the Albanian government. The group discussed the funding of education by the state, the Church’s recruitment practices for its religious communities and Albania’s social cohesion. The meeting concluded with the Monsignor providing information about the functioning of the Inter-Faith Council. Meeting with Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi, Bektashi Order of Sufi Dervishes Speaker Kinsella thanked Haxhi Dede Reshat Bardhi for meeting with the delegation. During the meeting, the religious leader of the Bektashi stressed the importance of cooperation between the various faith groups toward commons goals. The similarities in theology and doctrines should serve to unite individuals and not divide them. He also spoke about the emergence of faith following the fall of communism and the transition of Albania into a multiconfessional state. The group discussed the Bektashi’s relationship with the government and its role in general society. Meeting with Grand Mufti Haxhi Selim Muça, Sunni Muslim Community The delegation met with Grand Mufti Haxhi Selim Muça and discussed the community’s religious traditions, which are a combination of Arabic and European practices. The Grand Mufti also spoke about extraterritorial influences on the method of worship since the lifting of religious restrictions. They also held a dialogue on the internal cleavages that these outside influences are causing within the community. The Speaker and the Grand Mufti then spoke about its governmental relations and the functioning of the State Committee on Cults. Meeting with His Beatitude Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and All Albania, Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania Following their introductions, Speaker Kinsella informed His Beatitude about his recent meeting with Patriarch Daniel in Romania. The Archbishop then described how the Orthodox Church was completely destroyed during the communist regime. Since the introduction of religious freedom in Albania, the Church has been resurrected. It has formed a new seminary with over 145 priests completing their studies. He also spoke about the Church’s structure within Albania as a national entity. The Speaker and His Beatitude discussed government-faith relations and public education in Albania. The meeting concluded with a conversation on inter-faith ties and their impact on society. Meetings – Italy In Italy, the delegation met with: His Excellency Gianfranco Fini, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Republic of Italy; Senator Vannino Chiti, Deputy Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Italy; and Mr. Giulio Andreotti, Senator, Senate of the Republic of Italy. Meeting with His Excellency Gianfranco Fini, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Republic of Italy Speaker Fini greeted Speaker Kinsella and the delegation. He expressed Italy’s appreciation to Canada for its support for the victims of the earthquake in L'Aquila. Speaker Kinsella spoke about a possible treaty between Italy and Canada regarding the avoidance of double taxation as a means to spur new commerce between the two countries. In response, Speaker Fini agreed that such an agreement would be an important step to attract new investments and improve the economic relationship. Speaker Kinsella then discussed the upcoming G8 meeting in Canada in 2010 and presented a proposal to incorporate a meeting of speakers from the upper houses of each bicameral parliament. Both presiding officers reviewed some of the possible topics and concluded that immigration policy would be an interesting subject during the upcoming conference. Senator Tkachuk asked about the reaction of individual states, including Italy, to the upcoming negotiations for a free trade agreement between Canada and the European Union. He also inquired as to whether the member states are ready for the application of a trade liberalization deal on their particular economies. Speaker Fini responded that many countries will be ready for the adjustment. However, some states in the former Eastern bloc may require more transition time to remove protectionist measures favouring local industries. With regard to Italy, the agreement should provide greater opportunities for Italian products to be sold in Canada since they are not in direct competition with Canadian products. As a follow-up to the questions, Speaker Kinsella stated that many economists have noted a shift in middle class consumer demand from the West to the Asia-Pacific region. He also said that 92 per cent of all consumer goods travel by ship at some point during their voyage from the factory to the consumer. In recognition of this shifting paradigm, Canada has developed a gateway project to promote ports that access the Atlantic Ocean. He described the delegation’s visit to Albania during which he pursued a partnership with its ports for easier access to markets and to improve efficiencies such as the introduction of pre-clearance of goods. A similar partnership could be open to Italian ports. He encouraged the to study the feasibility of this type of arrangement. For his part, Speaker Fini spoke about energy independence as an emerging issue for many countries. He is concerned that Italy’s gas comes from its southern and eastern neighbours and there is always a potential for regional conflicts to interrupt supply. Meeting with Senator Vannino Chiti, Deputy Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Italy Deputy Speaker Chiti began by welcoming Speaker Kinsella and the delegation to the Senate of the Republic of Italy. He spoke about the long-standing friendship between Italy and Canada and the relationship is always moving forward. Recently, several new agreements have been signed between the two countries that have been keeping the “Canada Desk” at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs very busy. He also noted the great military cooperation within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The Deputy Speaker reflected on his last visits to Canada and complimented it on its federal model and for its positive integration of new immigrants within Canadian society. He expressed his interest in the outcome of the negotiation between the European Union and Canada to liberalize trade and further open each other’s markets. Senator Chiti concluded by positively commenting on the current agreements between the Italian Senate and the Senate of Canada signed by Speaker Marini. For his part, Speaker Kinsella spoke about the role of parliamentary diplomacy and the importance of dialogue between parliamentarians. He also discussed the legislative branch’s oversight responsibility over the executive and the need to receive information from foreign counterparts on the actions of their nationalgovernment relating to international affairs. These discussions should provide, to both presiding officers, insight into each country’s current diplomatic efforts. Speaker Kinsella then presented a proposal for a meeting of upper house speakers from G8 countries. Canada will be hosting the 2010 meetings and he hopes to invite the presiding officers next year for a first meeting. A letter with this suggestion will be sent to Senate President Schifani soon. Speaker Kinsella described the internship program with the Senate of Canada for students who attend LUISS Guido Carli. Selected students are invited to Canada for three to four months as interns to gain work experience in the Speaker’s or senators’ offices. This program is very successful and provides Italian students with a unique apprenticeship and practical knowledge of the Canadian political system. He indicated his hope that the Italian Senate could introduce a similar program with a Canadian university. Finally, the Speaker expressed his hope that Italy will soon ratify the social security agreement and move towards the development of a treaty on the avoidance of double taxation in both countries. These accords would be great steps ahead in developing a stronger framework to facilitate trade. The group then moved to a discussion on each state’s immigration policies and some of the challenges of the integration new arrivals, especially refugees into mainstream society. Meeting with Senator Giulio Andreotti, Senate of the Republic of Italy Speaker Kinsella and Senators Prud’homme, P.C., Tkachuk and Hubley met with Senator Andreotti, a former Italian Prime Minister and a long time member of the Italian Parliament. During the meeting, they reviewed current relations between the Italian state and the Roman Catholic Church. The group also discussed the general state of political literacy among young people. Speaker Kinsella inquired as to the Senator’s view of the evolution of the European Union over time. Senator Tkachuk spoke about some of the hurdles in developing economic links and fostering some integration of different cultures following the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. There may be lessons to be learned from the European experience. Prompted by Senator Prud’homme, Senator Andreotti provided some insight regarding the peace process in the Middle East, nuclear disarmament and political developments in Iran. Meetings – Sovereign Military Order of Malta In Rome, the delegation met with: His Most Eminent Highness the Prince Fra’ Matthew Festing, Grand Master; His Excellency Fra’ John T. Dunlap, Member of the Sovereign Council, Sovereign Military Order of Malta; and Mr. John A. MacPherson, Member, Sovereign Military Order of Malta Meeting with His Most Eminent Highness the Prince Fra’ Matthew Festing, Grand Master; His Excellency Fra’ John T. Dunlap, Member of the Sovereign Council, Sovereign Military Order of Malta; and Mr. John A. MacPherson, Member, Sovereign Military Order of Malta Speaker Kinsella began by congratulating Fra’ Dunlap on his election to the Sovereign Council. The representatives from the Order spoke about the history of the organization and its evolution to become an international body which provides humanitarian aid throughout the world. They also spoke about the Order’s current aid projects and its medical assistance to Sri Lanka. The group discussed ways to coordinate more Canadian aid through the Order’s missions. The conversation then centred on changes in international migration and its social impact in various nations. The meeting concluded with the Speaker inviting the Grand Master to Canada in recognition of the Canadian Navy’s centennial celebration in 2010. Given the Order’s long-standing naval history, an official visit would serve to highlight the anniversary. Meetings – Malta In Malta, the delegation met with: His Excellency Louis Galea, Speaker of the , Republic of Malta; Mr. Michael Frendo, M.P., House of Representatives, Republic of Malta; Mr. Mark Portelli, Chairman, Malta Maritime Authority; Mr. Chris Paris, Chief Executive Officer, Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation; Mr. Joseph Demajo, Honorary Consul of Canada in Malta; and Mr. Pier Luca Demajo, Chief Executive Officer, M. Demajo Group. Meeting with His Excellency Louis Galea, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Republic of Malta Speaker Kinsella informed Speaker Galea of his recent visit to Albania and Italy. He also spoke about Albania’s development as a new democracy in Eastern Europe and its recent accomplishments. Speaker Galea noted that there were parallels between current events in Albania and Malta’s past political and constitutional transition. Both presiding officers spoke about the upcoming 20th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth in New Delhi, India. Speaker Galea asked about the effects of the global recession on the Canadian economy. Speaker Kinsella responded that Canada has felt the negative consequences of the world economic downturn, but that it has been less severe than in other countries. The impact of the global financial crisis on the Canadian banking sector was minimal due to an effective regulatory structure. The Government of Canada recognized the need for financial intervention in the economy and is working with the G20 on stimulus spending to prop up global finances. Senator Tkachuk added that unemployment has risen in Canada but not as high as in the United States and that the Gross Domestic Product has increased in the last two quarters. He also outlined some of the spending initiatives in support of the Canadian financial services and automotive sectors, as well as major funds to be invested into physical infrastructure. Senator Hubley observed that boosting consumer confidence is a large part of the equation in regaining ground in domestic markets. The Maltese Speaker spoke about his country’s response to world economic conditions. His government had introduced new regulations for its financial sector before the crash. As a result, it was not severely affected. Malta has also decided to support specific sectors that have been identified as “vibrant” and key to the country’s future progress. These should spawn new opportunities and, hopefully, new industries. Speaker Kinsella explained the movement of consumer demand from Western countries toward those in Asia-Pacific. This shift has also changed how consumer goods travel to those markets and Canadian ports are adapting by developing strategic alliances across the world. Some of the advantages of a potential partnership between Canada and Malta for sending goods through Canada to Asia include: the common use of English, the use of the metric system, and the fact that Atlantic Canadian ports are closer to Europe than those in the United States. The Speaker suggested that a parliamentary commission in Malta may wish to study the idea of an alliance. Speaker Galea responded that while there is no special committee dedicated to the specific subject of the transportation of goods, the Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs may wish to examine this proposal. He noted that Malta has several countries on its borders, which could prove beneficial to any arrangement with Canadian partners. Both Speakers talked about their country’s immigration and refugee systems. Speaker Kinsella stated that Canada is sympathetic to the challenges Malta has experienced with an influx of refugees. Speaker Galea provided some background on the problem and its domestic implications. The European Union has been assisting by sharing some of the burden in the relocation of new arrivals and he is hopeful that Canada can also assist. Senator Tkachuk said that an examination of why people are leaving their homeland would be worthwhile. There may be a need for their native countries to become modern nations with living standards similar to the Western world. Meeting with Mr. Chris Paris, Chief Executive Officer, Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation Mr. Paris presented the delegation with information on the port facilities and its operations in Valetta. He also provided details on some of the urban renewal projects being undertaken to revitalize areas around the port. Meeting with Mr. Mark Portelli, Chairman, Malta Maritime Authority Speaker Kinsella and the delegation met with Mr. Portelli and discussed opportunities for greater partnerships between ports in Atlantic Canada and Malta. The Speaker mentioned the benefits of a strategic alliance where each port could provide greater access to both the European and North American markets. Meeting with Mr. Michael Frendo, M.P., House of Representatives, Republic of Malta; Mr. Joseph Demajo, Honorary Consul of Canada to Malta; and Mr. Pier Luca Demajo, Chief Executive Officer, M. Demajo Group The delegation attended a dinner with Mr. Frendo, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs for Malta. Their conversation considered proposed reforms to the United Nations, China’s emergence in global markets and the current state of affairs in the European Union. They also discussed increasing opportunities for student exchanges and promoting international education for undergraduates. Events – Holy See At the Vatican, Speaker Kinsella and the delegation attended a Thanksgiving Mass at the Santa Maria del Carmelo in Transpontina Church to recognize the 40th anniversary of official diplomatic relations between Canada and the Holy See. The Mass was celebrated by His Eminence Marc Cardinal Ouellet, Archbishop of Quebec and Primate of Canada, and His Excellency Monsignor Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States for the Holy See. Following the Mass, Speaker Kinsella co-hosted with the Canadian Embassy a reception to mark the anniversary. Speaker Kinsella also attended a reception at the Irish Pontifical College and presented the Rector, Monsignor Liam Bergin, with an invitation to visit Canada on behalf of the Saint Thomas More Society signed by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Mr. Andrew Scheer, M.P. Acknowledgements The members of the Canadian delegation wish to thank Her Excellency Jozefina Topalli, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Albania for hosting the official visit and for her warm welcome. They also wish to thank His Excellency Gianfranco Fini, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Republic of Italy; Mr. Vannino Chiti, Deputy Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Italy; and His Excellency Louis Galea, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Malta, for meeting the delegation during its visit to their respective countries. The delegation is grateful to His Most Eminent Highness the Prince Fra’ Matthew Festing, Grand Master, His Excellency Fra’ John T. Dunlap, Member of the Sovereign Council; and Mr. John A. MacPherson from the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, as well as Monsignor Liam Bergin from the Pontifical Irish College, for their generous hospitality. The delegation would also like to thank the Protocol Service for the Parliament of Albania and the officials from the Parliament of Italy, the and representatives from the Holy See for their kind cooperation in arranging parts of the visit. The members of the delegation express their gratitude to the staff of the Canadian Embassies in Rome, Italy and Malta, the Canadian Embassy to the Holy See, the Canadian Consulate in Tirana, Albania, and the Canadian Consulate in Malta for their excellent efforts in making the visit such a success. In particular, the delegates thank Mr. James Fox, Canadian Ambassador to the Republic of Italy, to the Republic of Albania and High Commissioner for Canada to the Republic of Malta, Mrs. Anne Leahy, Canadian Ambassador to the Holy See, Mr. Krenal Loloci, Honorary Consul of Canada in Albania and Mr. Joe Demajo, Honorary Consul of Canada in Malta. Finally, the delegates wish to thank the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the Library of Parliament for all the documentation provided as part of the preparation for their trip. Respectfully submitted,

The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella Speaker of the Senate

Travel Costs

Visit of the Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker of the Senate and a Parliamentary Delegation, Albania, Italy, Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Holy See and Malta

TRAVEL $ 67,523.64

ACCOMMODATION $9,321.84

PER DIEMS $6,107.85

PROTOCOL $13,996.94

MISCELLANEOUS $0.00

TOTAL $96,950.27

ANNEX A