Statement

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

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STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE 2007 APEC SUMMIT

September 9, 2007
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement at a wrap-up news conference following the 2007 APEC Summit:

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.

Let me begin by saying that I'm very pleased by the progress made at this year's APEC Summit.

I want to congratulate Prime Minister Howard and his Government for hosting such a successful gathering.

And I want to thank the people of Sydney for being such warm, hospitable hosts.

The singular success of this year's APEC Summit was to advance international cooperation on the challenge of climate change.

The Sydney Declaration, building on the principles outlined at the G-8 earlier this year, represents an emerging consensus on the need for all countries to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Three of the world's largest economies and biggest greenhouse gas emitters – the United States, China and Russia – have endorsed this objective.

That's the signature accomplishment of this year's Summit.

There is much more to do, but we made more progress here in Sydney than many expected.

And perhaps more than many have realized.

I'm also very pleased that the Sydney Declaration mirrors the Canadian climate change approach on many levels.

The necessity of an effective international protocol with clear goals has now been widely accepted.

And we have established that all the world's major emitters must all do their part.

We have also advanced the Canadian view that balancing environmental protection and economic growth is the bedrock principle of a sustainable future for all of us.

I should also add that I had a productive meeting this morning with the Latin American leaders present at this Summit:

President Calderon of Mexico, President Bachelet of Chile and President Garcia of Peru and I met for an hour and discussed our shared objectives for the hemisphere.

I anticipate we will be following up on this meeting in the months to come."

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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