News Release

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

---

PRIME MINISTER HARPER WELCOMES PRIME MINISTER BALKENENDE OF THE NETHERLANDS

June 8, 2007
GERMANY

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Jan Peter Balkenende, will visit Canada on June 11 and 12, 2007.

"Canada and the Netherlands work together both bilaterally and in multilateral diplomacy, where we often join forces in pursuit of global peace and security, as demonstrated by our strong cooperation in southern Afghanistan," said the Prime Minister. "Our convergence of views on the promotion of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law make us natural partners on the world stage, while our strong trade and investment partnerships benefit us both."

During his stay in Canada, Prime Minister Balkenende will be in Ottawa to meet with Prime Minister Harper, in addition to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, National Defence and International Cooperation.

The two leaders will have the opportunity to discuss Canada-Netherlands cooperation in Afghanistan, climate change and energy security, as well as broader international security and economic development matters.

Prime Minister Balkenende will also visit Alberta on June 12, where he will meet Premier Ed Stelmach and Mayor Stephen Mandel of Edmonton, and visit important examples of Canadian initiatives such as the oil sands and the National Institute for Nanotechnology.

---

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)]