Canada and the European Union to Hold Summit in Ottawa

"Twice-yearly summits with the European Union have given great momentum to our transatlantic relations," said the Prime Minister. "Stepped-up efforts to increase our growing trade and investment ties and our cooperation in a number of policy areas demonstrate our close working relationship with the EU."

The President of Finland and current President of the European Council, Martti Ahtisaari, the Finnish Prime Minister, Paavo Lipponen, and the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi will attend the Summit. Finland currently holds the rotational six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU). Finland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union began on July 1, 1999, and will end on December 31, 1999. Portugal will assume the Presidency on January 1, 2000.

Canada's International Trade Minister, Pierre Pettigrew, the Commissioner for Trade of the European Commission, Pascal Lamy and Finland's Foreign Trade and European Affairs Minister, Kimmo Sasi, will also participate in the Summit.

Summit discussions will cover a number of themes, including recent political developments in Europe, Canada-EU trade relations and international efforts to promote stability in Southeastern Europe. Also on the agenda will be joint work on an international framework to to facilitate electronic commerce, northern cooperation, and support for global cooperation in combatting the proliferation of small arms.

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