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Coordinator of Transatlantic Cooperation travels to Canada for first official visit
Jürgen Hardt, the new Coordinator of Transatlantic Cooperation, made his first official visit to Canada on 16 and 17 June.
In Ottawa, he met Foreign Minister John Baird and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Chris Alexander and also spoke to Erin O’Toole, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, and James Bezan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence. Furthermore, he met members of the Canadian House of Commons for discussions.
Their exchange of views focused on topics such as the planned Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada, bilateral issues, energy policy as well as the current crisis in Ukraine.
Before returning to Berlin, Jürgen Hardt issued the following statement in Ottawa:
Canada is an important partner within the G7 and NATO, and close coordination in all political spheres is of crucial importance to Germany.
During my talks with Foreign Minister Baird, Immigration Minister Alexander as well as other members of government and parliament, I had the impression that Canada values Germany as a central partner in Europe.
In the talks, I advocated a speedy conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the EU and Canada. The CETA will guarantee high standards benefiting the citizens in Canada as well as the EU and is therefore in our mutual interest.