Words of welcome from Ambassador Paul Dubois

Welcome to the virtual opening of Canada’s new Embassy in Berlin. On April 29, 2005, we are opening our doors to the first of the many, many German, Canadian and international visitors we expect to host in our showcase of contemporary Canadian architecture and design.

Canada has built a dynamic new presence at 17 Leipziger Platz. This former no-man’s land of the Berlin Wall is now in the heart of a city that is undergoing exciting change, and has become the cultural capital of Europe.

The cultural dimension is now front and centre in Canada-Germany relations. In German, Kultur is spelled with a “K” - so is Kanada. Culture is the bridge linking hearts and creative minds across the Atlantic.

As NATO allies and G8 partners in peacebuilding around the globe, Canada and Germany are also increasingly learning from each other in policy areas affecting citizens’ everyday lives, such migration, managing diversity, health care, and education.

Our new office building houses a whole range of Government of Canada services for clients abroad, including consular and visa services. The new Embassy offers public areas with multimedia facilities presenting Canadians’ achievements in building a diverse society where business, science and technology and the arts can all thrive.

Kanada Haus is your house in the capital of the biggest country in the European Union. I invite you to click your way through its many features and the themes of the Canada-Germany relationship, and to visit us when you are next in Berlin.

>> ...more about the new Embassy building and its location