Pursue EU Pact, CEOs Urge Harper

While trade between Canada and the EU has increased of late, the letter laments that the two sides have overlooked their common links. “The ties between Canada and Europe are strong and deep,” the letter says. “Our societies are bound together by history as well as by common values, including respect for the rule of law and a commitment to market-based economies. “… [But] the Canada-EU relationship has suffered from political neglect on both sides of the Atlantic for too long. Political leaders must ensure that future opportunities are firmly seized.” Canadian trade with EU countries stood at approximately $78.3-billion in 2006, up from $65.3-billion in 2004. The letter was also sent to German Chancellor Angela Merkel – whose country holds the presidency of the EU – and to Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission. Mr. Harper and EU leaders will meet in Berlin on June 4, before a meeting of the G8 industrialized nations in the German resort of Heiligendamm. Mr. d'Aquino said in an interview that the negotiations are aimed at eventually reaching a comprehensive series of agreements that would liberalize a number of sectors between Canada and the EU. Those include liberalizing air services, an agreement for temporary admission of key business personnel and service suppliers, mutual recognition of professional qualifications and other items. http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070516.wreurope16/BNStory/robNews/home [Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on May 16, 2007]

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