December 17, 2002
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that the semi-annual Canada-European Union Summit will be held in Ottawa on December 19, 2002. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Prime Minister of Denmark and the current President of the European Council, and Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, will represent the European Union at the Summit.

"These regular meetings provide Canada and the EU with valuable opportunities to discuss current issues of mutual concern and to explore ways to expand our very close and beneficial ties," said the Prime Minister. "I am particularly pleased with our growing co-operation in the North and on counter-terrorism as well as the significant efforts being made to increase our bilateral trade and investment."

Summit discussions will focus on a broad range of issues, including Iraq, the G8 Africa Action Plan, the Middle East and Canada-EU trade. The leaders will also discuss enhancing cooperation in areas such as combatting terrorism and crime, working together in the North and expanding youth exchanges.

Denmark currently holds the rotational six month Presidency of the European Council, which ends on December 31, 2002. Greece will assume the Presidency for the following six months.

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