News Release

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

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PM announces new Air and Double Taxation Agreements with Switzerland

October 22, 2010
Bern, Switzerland

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that Canada and Switzerland have concluded two new bilateral agreements to strengthen air transportation and promote trade and investment between the two countries. Prime Minister Harper made the announcement following a meeting with Doris Leuthard, President of the Swiss Confederation.

"Canada and Switzerland continue to build our excellent relations," said the Prime Minister. "These two new agreements will increase both commercial and people-to-people links between our countries."

The two agreements being announced today are:

• An Updated Air Transportation Agreement: This new agreement will benefit passengers, airlines, airports and shippers in Canada and Switzerland by allowing more flight options and routings. It modernizes an original agreement signed in 1975.

• An Updated Double Taxation Convention: The amendments to the original 2007 Convention will further facilitate the exchange of tax information, assisting Canada's tax authorities in administering and enforcing national tax laws and preventing international tax evasion. It will also reduce tax barriers to bilateral trade and investment.

The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations, priorities at the Francophonie, the Canadian and Swiss economic situations, and the international economic and financial outlook, including Canada's priorities for the upcoming G-20 Summit.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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