News Release

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

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PRIME MINISTER HARPER AND CHILEAN PRESIDENT MICHELLE BACHELET STRENGTHEN CANADA-CHILE RELATIONS

June 9, 2008
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, met today to begin a four-day working visit. At the conclusion of their meetings, the two leaders signed a declaration covering several memoranda of understanding designed to strengthen relations between Canada and Chile.

"The Canada-Chile relationship is a model of successful partnership in our hemisphere," said Prime Minister Harper. "It prospers not only because of growing trade between our nations, but also because of our mutual commitment to the values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law."

Building upon the Canada-Chile Partnership Framework, signed by Prime Minister Harper and President Bachelet in Chile in July 2007, the declaration signed by the two leaders today will further expand relations between Canada and Chile in the areas of science and technology, scholarships and youth mobility, as well as investment and mining ventures.

During their discussions, the Prime Minister and President Bachelet also talked about broader issues including global energy prices and supply concerns, the need for concerted international action on climate change, and the contributions Canada and Chile are making to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.

"My Government has made re-engagement with our neighbours throughout the Americas one of our highest priorities," said Prime Minister Harper. "The Canada-Chile partnership sets the standard, and I look forward to developing even stronger, closer, and better ties between Canada and Chile as well as with other countries of our hemisphere."

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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