Canada and EU Launch Historic Economic Partnership
On May 6, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, along with European Union President Mirek Topolánek and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso announced the historic launch of negotiations toward an economic partnership agreement between Canada and the EU. “At a time when many countries are retreating into protectionism, Canada is showing the way,” said Prime Minister Harper. “We are working to open new markets and positioning our country for the future.” The partnership has the potential to bring a $12 billion boost to the Canadian economy and lead to significant gains for both Canada and the EU. The EU is the world’s largest exporter of goods and services, while one in five Canadian jobs is estimated to be linked to trade. “The EU is second only to the United States when it comes to the size of our trading relationship,” said Minister Stockwell Day, Canada’s Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway. “We are a trading nation. This is very good news for Canada.”
