Statement

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

---

Joint Policy Statement by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on Canada-Russia relations

July 15, 2006
Saint Petersburg

Canada and the Russian Federation enjoy a rich and diverse bilateral relationship. Today we reaffirm our commitment to reinforce key areas of joint endeavour. Energy cooperation is addressed in a separate Statement.

We reaffirm our strong intent to work together on security and counter-terrorism through our established bilateral dialogue and close collaboration in multilateral fora. We shall continue to participate actively in efforts to strengthen international consensus and to contribute to the global campaign against terrorism. In particular, we shall maintain and strengthen our cooperation in relation to Afghanistan and our mutual efforts to combat narco-trafficking in the region.

We are committed to building further our cooperation under the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction. The Global Partnership has become a large-scale international initiative, which has contributed to the enhancement of international security and safety. The Partnership already demonstrates tangible results, and cooperation between our two countries has led to significant progress in all priority areas. We are particularly pleased with the excellent bilateral collaboration and spirit of partnership that has developed through working together on this program.

Recent years have provided our business people with impressive new opportunities for enhanced trade and investment exchange, which is contributing to the prosperity of our citizens. In order to add further momentum to this positive trend, we intend to encourage increased business to business dialogue, including through the structures of our Intergovernmental Economic Commission.

We are neighbours in the vastness of the North and we share a deep commitment to the welfare of our Arctic communities. As partners in the Arctic Council and through our bilateral dialogue and cooperation, we shall continue to work together toward sound and sustainable Northern development, balancing environmental protection with economic prosperity.

We recognize that democracy, open societies and efficient market economies are powerful and positive forces for growth and development in our countries and in the world. We intend also to continue our constructive dialogue in this area and to share experiences on governance models which can contribute to ongoing improvement in the lives of our citizens.

We shall also widen the practice of consultations and exchange of opinions on all the issues of mutual interest, to encourage development of ties and exchanges in the sphere of culture, science, education, tourism, sports, civil society and between individuals.

---

The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
[Note: You are receiving this e-mail for information only, and because you have subscribed to our distribution list. To modify your subscription or to have your name removed from the list, go to: (http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/subscribe.asp?login)]

Statement

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

---

Joint Statement by Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on Canada-Russia energy cooperation

July 15, 2006
Saint Petersburg

Canada and Russia have many interests in common in the development of their national energy sectors and in supporting well-functioning international energy markets. Our two countries are major producers and exporters of energy, and play an important role in enhancing global energy security.

We welcome the important and timely discussion of global energy security at the G-8 Summit in Saint-Petersburg. Together, G8 countries can underscore the key principles that need to underpin our national energy policies and will help us meet today’s global energy, environment and development challenges.

In taking joint action to enhance global energy security and to address environmental challenges, we will focus on diversification of energy sources, encouraging investment in the energy sector, in addition to energy efficiency, scientific and technological cooperation, renewables and alternative sources of energy.

We will fully respect market principles and ensure that open, clear and predictable policy and regulatory frameworks are in place. We will also ensure that transparent tax, legal, regulatory and commercial conditions are in place to remove barriers to trade and encourage mutual investments in the energy industry.

We welcome close cooperation between Canadian and Russian energy industry players and will work to facilitate these relationships, with a view to promoting international trade, particularly in the area of liquefied natural gas (LNG). We believe that such growth and development of the LNG market will play an important role in enhancing global energy security.

Canada and Russia look forward to the possibility of enhanced civil nuclear cooperation and, in this regard, completing arrangements that will help facilitate mutually beneficial trade in uranium.

We intend to develop our cooperative dialogue on energy security both through enhancing our bilateral relationship and through existing multilateral fora, with the goal of implementing agreements reached at the G8 Summit in Saint Petersburg.

---

The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
[Note: You are receiving this e-mail for information only, and because you have subscribed to our distribution list. To modify your subscription or to have your name removed from the list, go to: (http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/subscribe.asp?login)]