20 May 2011
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that he will travel to France to participate in the G-8 Deauville Summit from May 26 to 27, 2011. Following the Summit, the Prime Minister will travel to Greece for a bilateral visit on May 28 and 29, 2011.
“It is critical for leaders of G-8 countries to meet annually to develop concerted approaches to pressing international issues,” said Prime Minister Harper. “I look forward to working with other G-8 members on the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, global peace and security challenges, the G-8 Partnership with Africa, and G-8 Accountability. I also look forward to discussing continued progress on Canada’s Muskoka Initiative on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, including the important work being accomplished by the UN Commission on Information and Accountability for Women’s and Children’s Health, which President Kikwete of Tanzania and I co-chaired.”
The G-8 Summit brings together the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The European Union also participates and is represented by the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. France is Chair of the G-8 in 2011.
While in Greece, Prime Minister Harper will meet with Prime Minister George Papandreou to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues, including two-way trade and investment, and international economic and security issues. He will also meet with the business community and visit a number of historic sites.
“Canada and Greece enjoy excellent bilateral relations strengthened by over 243,000 Canadians of Greek descent,” said the Prime Minister. “I look forward to exploring ways to further develop the very strong people-to-people ties that exist between our countries and to further develop our excellent political, cultural and economic relationship.”
