Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that he will join Enrique Peña Nieto, President of Mexico, and Barack Obama, President of the United States, for the seventh North American Leaders’ Summit (NALS) in Toluca, Mexico, on February 19th, 2014. He will be accompanied by Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources.
At the Summit, the three leaders will discuss North American economic competitiveness, energy and the environment, and defence and security cooperation. They will also have the opportunity to exchange views on a number of important regional and global security issues.
Prior to the Summit, the Prime Minister will undertake his first bilateral visit to Mexico from February 17-18 in Mexico City, where he will meet with President Peña Nieto, Cabinet Ministers, and prominent members of the business community.
During his visit to Mexico, the Prime Minister will reiterate the importance of the bilateral relationship as we mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, seek new ways to deepen relations with a particular emphasis on trade and energy cooperation, and discuss a range of regional and international issues.
[divider]
Quick Facts
- Prime Minister Harper will be participating in his sixth North American Leaders’ Summit. The last Summit took place in Washington, D.C., in April 2012.
- A number of high-level meetings have contributed to strengthening the Canada-Mexico relationship. Since 2006, Prime Minister Harper has met regularly with his Mexican counterparts, both formally and informally.
- This is a hallmark year for North America, with the 20th anniversary of the coming into force of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
- It is also an important year for Canada-Mexico relations as both countries celebrate important bilateral anniversaries, including 10 years of the Canada-Mexico Partnership.
Quotes
“North America’s global competitiveness hinges on making it easy for businesses in all three countries to work together to minimize costs and maximize profits in all areas of the business cycle. At this year’s Summit, we will seek ways of further strengthening our collective competitiveness in a number of areas building on significant past cooperation, including the North American Free Trade Agreement, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper
“Canada’s relations with the United States and Mexico are of the utmost importance for the long-term prosperity and security of all of our citizens. We look forward to further strengthening and deepening our ties with a view to creating jobs and economic growth in all three countries.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper
[divider]
Bilateral Visit
“Mexico is one of Canada’s closest friends and partners. This year, we celebrate 70 years of excellent diplomatic relations during which our countries have fostered amazing growth in trade, tourism and investment as well as close people-to-people ties. Our Government recognizes that even strong and dynamic relationships have room to grow and I look forward to exploring how to further deepen Canada’s relations with Mexico during my visit.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper (PrimeMinisterofCanada)
[divider]
Related Products
Associated Links
