Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that he will travel to Northern Ireland to participate in the G-8 Lough Erne Summit on June 17-18, 2013. Prior to the Summit, the Prime Minister will visit London, UK (June 11-13), Paris, France (June 14-15), and Dublin, Ireland (June 15-17). During his travel to the UK, the Prime Minister will be accompanied by John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources. In France, he will be accompanied by Minister Baird, Minister Fast, and Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister for La Francophonie. Finally, in Ireland, he will be accompanied by Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, and Minister Fast.
“This year’s G-8 Summit comes at a time of weak global economic growth and challenges to international security,” said Prime Minister Harper. “It is critical that members of the G-8 meet to discuss these issues, and I look forward to meeting with my G-8 counterparts to address matters such as free trade, tackling tax evasion, and encouraging transparency and accountability, particularly in the extractive sector. On international security, it will be crucial that we discuss coordinating responses to international security challenges such as the deteriorating situation in Syria and the ongoing threats posed by Iran and North Korea’s nuclear programs.”
The G-8 Summit brings together the leaders of Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
During his visits to the UK, France and Ireland, Prime Minister Harper will promote trade and investment, underscoring the importance of concluding an ambitious Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. He will also discuss ways to address international security challenges with his fellow leaders.
During his bilateral visit to London, Prime Minister Harper will meet with David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He will also address of the British Parliament and will have a private audience with Her Majesty The Queen.
While in Paris, the Prime Minister will meet with François Hollande, President of the French Republic, and with Jean-Marc Ayrault, Prime Minister of the French Republic. These meetings will build on Prime Minister Harper’s visit to Paris in June 2012 and the visit of Prime Minister Ayrault to Canada in March 2013.
In Dublin, Ireland, Prime Minister Harper will meet with Enda Kenny, the Irish Taoiseach, and Michael Higgins, President of Ireland.
