Event Summary
Munich Security Conference and Atlantik-Brücke Host Keynote Speech by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
As part of his visit to Berlin on March 9, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined the Munich Security Conference and Atlantik-Brücke to give a keynote speech, in which he reflected on the challenges posed to democracies worldwide by Russia’s unprovoked attack against Ukraine.
On March 9, the Munich Security Conference, together with the Atlantik-Brücke, welcomed to Berlin a high-level government delegation from Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly. Newly appointed MSC Chairman Christoph Heusgen and Atlantik-Brücke Chairman Sigmar Gabriel hosted the Canadian delegation at the Allianz Forum, where Prime Minister Trudeau gave a speech and engaged in a discussion with an expert audience.
Mr. Gabriel, in introductory remarks, lauded Canada’s longstanding commitment to fostering transatlantic relations and described the Russian attack on Ukraine as Putin "thinking in 18th and 19th century categories, waging a war with 20th century means, in order to try and determine the 21st century." When Prime Minister Trudeau took the stage for his keynote address, he began by commending MSC Chairman Heusgen for his efforts – then as Germany's UN ambassador – to help secure the release of Canadian nationals Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig from their arbitrary detention in China. In his further remarks, the Prime Minister acknowledged that the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia marked a sinister turning point for the world, but also emphasized the resilience and power of democracy and the rule of law. Trudeau argued that "at its best, democracy is always stronger than authoritarianism. But if we are honest, democracy has not exactly been at its best the past few years." He went on to say that it is a collective task to strengthen democracies by rebuilding trust and giving people a reason to have faith in democratic institutions. The Prime Minister also voiced his support for the German government’s refusal to certify Nord Stream 2, calling it "not an easy decision, but the right one" and adding that Germany "will not bend to intimidation and will find a path forward on a secure and sustainable energy future."
After the Prime Minister’s keynote speech, Christoph Heusgen delivered several remarks in response, in which he called for the ratification of the CETA free-trade agreement between the European Union and Canada by the German Parliament as well as for reform of the UN Security Council to adapt it to modern realities. Heusgen underlined that it was good to see the world’s democracies united in the face of Russia's aggression, but also cautioned that authoritarian forces are working hard to increase their influence worldwide. These comments were followed by a lively Q&A between Prime Minister Trudeau and the audience, moderated by Zeit journalist Anna Sauerbrey.
