International Trade Minister to visit Latvia

News Release

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, will visit Riga, Latvia, on February 23, 2017, to attend the first European Union (EU) member-state vote on the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Latvia would become the first among 28 EU Member States to ratify the agreement domestically.

This first visit to Latvia by Minister Champagne as Canada’s minister of international trade further demonstrates Canada’s strong relationship with Latvia and the importance Canada places on timely implementation of CETA. CETA sets a new bar for progressive trade agreements that create good, middle-class jobs, give consumers more choice, and protect both workers and the environment. This ground-breaking agreement will eliminate or reduce barriers in virtually all areas of Canada-EU trade.

While in Riga, Minister Champagne will also have bilateral meetings with Latvian parliamentarians, including Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis, Arvils Ašeradens, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy, and Edgars Rinkēvičs, Foreign Affairs Minister, whose responsibilities cover trade. The Minister will also meet with a community of new technology start-ups at TechHub Riga and speak at a panel on the benefits of CETA, with participation from the Latvian business community, Latvian and EU officials, EU diplomats, academics and journalists.

The vote in the Latvian parliament follows the February 15, 2017, approval of CETA by the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

Contacts

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaTrade
Like us on Facebook: Canada’s international trade - Global Affairs Canada

Page details

Date modified: