(Toronto) The reception which was to end a day of meetings on Saturday between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, was canceled after pro-Palestine demonstrators blocked access to the Museum of Fine Arts. Ontario, preventing anyone from entering.
Mr. Trudeau’s office confirmed that neither he nor Mr.me Meloni was unable to enter the museum, which was temporarily closed when demonstrators shouting slogans in support of the Gaza Strip – where Israel has been waging a bloody war for several months – invaded the premises.
Among the expected guests is the Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen, who was unable to enter the gallery through the main access. He had to walk two blocks, escorted by police, to find another solution.
Some demonstrators who followed him directly vilified Mr. Hussen, saying that it was shameful that he called himself a Muslim. “You are complicit in the genocide. Your hands are red. You are complicit in the assassination of members of my family and friends,” one of them told him.
This disruption marked the end of an otherwise cordial day, where Mr. Trudeau and Mr.me Meloni said they agreed to establish the road map for improved cooperation between Canada and Italy.
Strengthened links
The two prime ministers issued a joint statement saying the agreement would deepen their countries’ political, economic and strategic ties by setting out plans for collaboration over the next three to five years on priority files.
These include energy security and the transition to a future focused on sustainable energy, climate change and biodiversity, migration, sustainable economic growth as well as research and innovation, notably in the field of artificial intelligence.
The two G7 members plan to review progress in developing the road map during a meeting next June in Italy.
PHOTO CARLOS OSORIO, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Meeting between Justin Trudeau and his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni
Speaking to reporters before the closed-door meeting, Mr. Trudeau praised Mr.me Meloni, as Italy chairs this year’s G7 Summit, added that he looked forward to working with her to organize Canada’s tenure as host in 2025.
Mr. Trudeau says Canada and Italy are “aligned on many points” and have “a very deep and growing economic relationship.”
The two politicians fell out publicly last year after Mr Trudeau criticized Italy’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues during a meeting with Mrme Meloni at the G7 leaders’ summit. He was reacting to his government’s decision to limit the recognition of parental rights to only the biological parent in families with same-sex parents.
Mme Meloni later rejected these criticisms and said Mr. Trudeau had been the victim of fake news.
Saturday, Mme Meloni touted a number of his priorities as G7 leader, including artificial intelligence, the role of the Indo-Pacific and respect for the rules-based international order.
She also highlighted support for Ukraine and “this very difficult crisis in the Middle East,” where she said it was important to avoid escalation. The disgruntled demonstrators gathered outside the museum accused Mr. Trudeau of financing a genocide in addition to criticizing his management of the war between Israel and Hamas.
“We are starting a new year of relations by trying to strengthen our cooperation and I think that there are many subjects on which we can do so,” said Mr.me Meloni.