Israeli President Shimon Peres arrived Sunday in Canada for a four-day visit to the close ally of the Jewish state, the Israeli embassy said.
Peres plans to discuss recent developments in the region with top Canadian officials, including Iran's controversial nuclear program and Israel's relations with its neighbors, according to information given earlier by the president's office.
On Monday Peres, 88, met Governor General David Lloyd Johnson -- who represents Queen Elizabeth II, the titular head of the Canadian state -- and was due to meet later Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a keen backer of Israel, officials said.
He is also set to meet other senior Canadian politicians and the provincial governors of Ontario and Quebec during his visit.
On Tuesday, Peres is scheduled to attend the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Royal Society of Canada and the Israel Academy of Science and Letters.
Peres "will discuss with them a series of political issues and the focus of recent developments in Iran's nuclear program, changes in the Middle East and political relations between Israel and its neighbors," his office said ahead of the trip.
The Israeli presidency is largely ceremonial, and national policy is decided by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who visited Ottawa in March.