[LINK] "Canada and Britain embassy-sharing pact called ‘nickel and dime’ diplomacy"

[rfmcdonald]

I actually don't share in the hostility--described, for instance by the Toronto Star's Bruce Campion-Smith--towards the idea of Canada and the United Kingdom sharing embassies in select locations. The Commonwealth isn't much of a reality, now, but it is a reality, there's no particular necessity for a power the stature of Canada (or of the United Kingdom) to maintain a full diplomatic presence everywhere in the world, and I have read of discussion within the European Union of different countries sharing diplomatic facilities. As for fears of Canada and its brand being eclipsed, I'm confident that my country is large enough, and distinct enough from the United Kingdom, to avoid being swallowed back up.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird joined with his British counterpart, Foreign Secretary William Hague, to announce the move during a meeting in Ottawa on Monday.

It means that Canadian diplomats will be able to share space at the British embassy in countries where Canada does not have an embassy, and vice versa.

Baird portrayed it as a cost-saving “administrative” move and insisted it would have no impact on Canada’s foreign influence. Canada already has 178 missions in 106 countries.

“We are not moving to merge all of our embassies and consulates around the world. We are not going to be sharing ambassadors or trade commissioners,” Baird said.

Still, the agreement immediately drew criticism at a time when Canada is competing with other nations, including Britain, for trade, investment and talented immigrants.

Under a new memorandum of understanding, the two countries pledge to “make the most of their respective diplomatic resources by exploring further co-location, and by collaborating on consular services.”

Baird said the arrangement will start in two countries. Britain will share space at the Canadian Embassy in Haiti while in Burma, a Canadian diplomat has set up shop in the British Embassy. The Canadian flag and Union Jack will be flown together at diplomatic outposts where the two nations have diplomats working together.

“In select locations, this simply allows Canadian diplomats to do their good work faster and at lower cost to Canadian taxpayers,” Baird said. “The alternative is to waste months or years along with many taxpayer dollars setting up embassies from scratch.”

[. . .]

But critics pounced on the announcement, saying it highlights Canada’s flagging diplomatic ambitions around the world.

“It sends a very mixed message or muddled message about Canadian identity,” said Fen Hampson, director of global security at the Centre for International Governance Innovation.

“What kind of message does it send a country when you’re essentially doing co-opt diplomacy?” he said in an interview.