REMARKS BY PRIME MINISTER JEAN CHRÉTIEN AT A CANADA-GREECE BUSINESS LUNCHEON

May 29, 2003
Athens, Greece

Thank you very much Mr. Kyriacopoulos for your warm welcome. I am very happy to have the opportunity to visit Greece and to see first hand the exciting changes that are taking place here.

To come to this ancient and historic land is always a moving experience for someone from what we call the new world. Canada's history is but a fraction of time compared to the history of this nation. It is humbling to be here and imagine the great thinkers and heroes of thousands of years ago. It reminds us how nations evolve with time, keeping the greatest of traditions, and growing with the opportunities that new knowledge and innovation bring. The world has much to learn from Greece in that way.

The ties between Canada and Greece are close and personal. Many Canadians have roots in your country. It is estimated that there are more than a quarter of a million people of Greek origin living in Canada. These people have made their mark in Canada making important contributions to the business, political, cultural, and academic life of our country. And of course, Greece, this beautiful and ancient land, attracts many visitors from Canada, as well as archaeologists and Hellenists.

On the international front, Canada and Greece are allies in NATO, and work closely together in many organizations. Both countries attach importance to strong and effective multilateral organizations and believe that in the international arena, collaboration and diplomacy must lead the way.

We have developed a strong belief in the value of a multilateral approach to global problems. An approach which we believe is more than ever necessary as we face the threats of global terrorism, crime and corruption, environmental damage on a vast scale, and other challenges which cannot be successfully met by one nation, however powerful, acting alone. Multilateral institutions are essential to managing our evermore integrated world – the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and NATO, to name a few.

I would like to take a moment to praise the effectiveness of Greece in carrying out its responsibilities for the EU Presidency in the face of many challenges. Canada values the European voice on the international stage and we cooperate across many fronts with the European Union and with individual member states. We had excellent discussions yesterday in our Canada-EU Summit.

Greece has a good economic story to tell with strong growth. You are a member of the Euro-zone, and I understand how difficult that process must have been. Greece is also pursuing an impressive economic and social policy reform agenda. I understand that there remains work to be done on this front and I know from Canadian experience that this is not easy. But benefits do flow. You will see greater prosperity and a stronger economic profile.

I speak with the voice of experience. Canada also had to work hard during the past years to turn our economy around to make it stronger and more dynamic. The benefits have been enormous. We have turned our budget deficit into a strong surplus, in fact, we have had five straight years of fiscal surplus. We have reformed our taxation system, creating significant advantages for research and development. Our corporate tax rates are below those of our US neighbour. This creates a business climate that encourages growth.

Canada is also a strong trading nation with over 80% of our economic output attributable to trade. Canada is a player in today's globalized economy.

In fact, our focus on trade and the importance we attach to it is shown by our commitment to the multilateral trade agenda. We are strong proponents of an effective conclusion to the Doha Round of the WTO. It is through healthy global trade that prosperity can be shared amongst nations.

We are also looking at expanding our economic relationship with Europe, and of course, with Greece. At the last Canada-EU Summit in December, 2002, Canada and the EU decided to give a new impetus to strengthening our bilateral trade and investment relationship. In fact, yesterday, Minister Pettigrew, had substantive discussions on this issue with Commissioner Pascal Lamy and Minister Christodoulakis.

As a nation which attaches great importance to trade and investment flows, we are heartened by our diverse trade relationship with Greece. Trade between our countries had been steadily growing with bilateral trade reaching an all-time high of more than $350 million Canadian in 2001. But trade faltered last year, and it is obvious that we must do more to reach the rich trading potential between our two nations.

I would encourage you, the business community of Greece, to look at Canada as not only a source of goods and services; but also a destination for you to do business. Canada is the seventh-largest economy in the world and it has guaranteed access to the NAFTA market. In fact, some of you in this room already use Canada as a gateway to North America, much in the same way, that some Canadian firms use Greece as a Gateway to the Balkans.

With the personal and economic ties that bind us, the friendship between Greece and Canada is strong and lasting. The contributions of Canadians of Greek-origin to the fabric of Canada has enriched our nation. The doctors, lawyers, academics, businesspeople, artists, and everyday citizens of Canada who look proudly upon Greece as their heritage, create the special bond which joins our two countries.

In fact, in the Olympic Games in 2004, I think you will likely see a young Greek-Canadian sprinter from Montreal, Nic Macrozonaris. He beat the American world record holder in the 100 metre race at the Mexican Grand Prix and promises to be a great competitor in Athens next year.

All of Canada's elite athletes are looking forward to coming to Athens for the Olympic Games in 2004. It is more of a homecoming, I think we can say, as these Games return to their ancient homeland. I have been impressed by what I have heard about the progress of the preparations for these games. We can all look forward to a wonderful experience.

The friendship between nations shows the course of history and the evolution of humankind. The bonds between Greece and Canada are strong and enduring. They have been forged through the sharing of humanitarian values on the world stage and strengthened through shared interests that foster prosperity and quality of life.

As globalization and a common international outlook shrink the distances between us, we can look forward to ever closer ties and everlasting friendship.

Thank you very much.

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