News Release

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

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PRIME MINISTER HARPER RAISES CANADIAN CONCERNS ON TRILATERIAL AGENDA AT NORTH AMERICAN LEADERS' SUMMIT

August 21, 2007
Montebello, Quebec

Prime Minister Stephen Harper expressed his satisfaction today with the outcome of the North American Leaders' Summit in Montebello, Quebec, where he met with U.S. President George W. Bush and Mexican President Felipe Calderón.

"Canada, the United States and Mexico are good neighbours and also good friends. As sovereign countries in the modern world we are both independent and interdependent," said the Prime Minister. "This week's Summit has provided an opportunity to share individual perspectives and take stock of challenges we face together."

The discussions covered a wide range of issues the three countries face, including:

Working together on consumer protection to ensure the safety of imported foods and products entering North America;

Developing practical solutions to our mutual environmental challenges; and

Assuring both efficient and secure borders, while respecting the bonds of friendship and commerce between the three countries.

The discussions focussed as well on international and hemispheric matters from climate change to the upcoming APEC meetings. Also discussed were the Middle East and Haiti, where all three countries are working to advance freedom, democracy and development.

Since last year's Summit, agreements on regulatory cooperation, pandemics, intellectual property and energy research have been achieved.

"Our three countries share peaceful and productive relations," said the Prime Minister. "These relations are rooted in our common commitment to democracy, free and open markets through NAFTA, and equal opportunity for all our citizens."

Prime Minister Harper met in separate bilateral meetings with Presidents Bush and Calderón.

The Prime Minister and President Bush discussed a range of bilateral issues including the countries' joint commitment to a secure border open to the exchange of goods and services and the interaction of peoples.

The Prime Minister and President Calderón discussed the growing breadth and depth of the Canada-Mexico relationship such as labour mobility, the environment, security and defence cooperation, and a range of hemispheric issues.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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