Premiers Focus on Canada’s Place in the World

Premiers Focus on Canada’s Place in the World

REGINA, August 7, 2009 – Premiers discussed the importance of enhancing international relationships, particularly with the European Union (EU) and Asia-Pacific.

Premiers welcomed the federal government’s invitation to provinces and territories to take part directly in the EU negotiations in areas under their jurisdiction.

Premiers have been taking a leadership role in promoting increased trade in the Asia- Pacific, for instance by leading a mission to China last November. Premiers urge the federal government to promote and launch negotiations for comprehensive economic partnership agreements with China, India, Japan and other Asian economies, in the coming year.

Premiers call for the federal government to make it easier for Mexicans living outside Mexico City to obtain Canadian visas and to work on a longer-term resolution of this issue.

Much of the leadership on climate change in North America to date has come from provinces and territories and US states. Premiers agree that Canada would be well- served to work with the United States on a continental approach to climate change and energy security.

Premiers accept Environment Minister Jim Prentice’s invitation to join him in Copenhagen and to participate in the development of the Canadian position in advance of the COP 15 meeting in December.

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For more information:

Ian Hanna
Communications Advisor
Office of the Saskatchewan Premier
306-787-2127
[email protected]