3 May 2010 Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that he will travel to Brussels, Belgium, to participate in the Canada-European Union (EU) Summit taking place on May 5. Following the Summit, he will travel to the Netherlands May 6-7, Croatia May 7-8, as well as Germany on May 8.
“Canada and the European Union are tremendous economic partners committed to promoting jobs and growth at home and around the globe,” said Prime Minister Harper. “This Summit will enable us to look toward expanding free trade between Canada and the EU and to focus on accelerating the international economic recovery. “
During Summit meetings with President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso and, President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, Prime Minister Harper will also discuss development, international peace and security, as well as other global issues, including climate change.
Following his time in Brussels, the Prime Minister will travel to the Netherlands. There, he will participate in events to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the liberation of that country at the end of World War II in which Canadian forces played a leading role. He will also meet with Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende.
"Canada and the Netherlands enjoy a special relationship. My visit will be an occasion to honour the sacrifice of those who fought to free the Netherlands from Nazi occupation. It will also underscore the strength of the links that connect our two countries today and the confidence with which we look together to the future," said Prime Minister Harper.
The Prime Minister will also travel to Croatia for meetings with Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and President Ivo Josipovic.
“We welcome Croatia's active role in promoting peace and security in the region and beyond, and look forward to further growth in our bilateral relations,” said the Prime Minister.
Finally, Prime Minister Harper will travel to Germany where he will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss, among other issues, the Canada-hosted Muskoka G8 and Toronto G20 summits.
"Through engagement with countries both within and outside the G8 and G20, Canada is seeking to build wide support for effective action at the Muskoka and Toronto summits in June, under the summits' general theme of ‘Recovery and New Beginnings,'" said the Prime Minister.
