StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto- August 4, 2011 - 3:30 p.m.- John Baird, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, today successfully concluded his first formal bilateral meeting with his American counterpart, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Minister Baird will also meet with other senior officials while in Washington as he reaffirms the importance of the Canada-U.S. relationship.
“Canada and the United States both benefit from having what is, quite possibly, the world’s most successful bilateral relationship ever and we are looking to further improve relations,” said Minister Baird. “Canadians recently gave our government a strong mandate to focus on Canada’s economic recovery. Strong relations with our largest trading partner and closest neighbour are vital to our success in that regard.”
Minister Baird and Secretary Clinton discussed, among other things, the global economic recovery and the Shared Border Vision initiative announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama on February 4, 2011.
“Stronger cooperation between Canada and the United States simply makes sense. The vision initiative will speed up the legitimate movement of people and goods between our two countries, while protecting our borders and the privacy of our citizens,” said Minister Baird.Minister Baird and Secretary Clinton further discussed the situation in Libya and the current unrest in Syria.
Canada and the United States both strongly condemn the ongoing violent crackdown by the Syrian regime against its own people and will continue to work with international partners to enhance sanctions against the Assad regime. While in Washington, Minister Baird also met with Suzan Johnson Cook, Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, to discuss the operation of her office at the State Department. In the June 2011 Speech from the Throne, Prime Minister Stephen Harper committed to creating a new Office of Religious Freedom.
“I used the opportunity to draw on the experience and expertise of the Ambassador and inform her of Canadian efforts to support religious freedom around the world,” said Minister Baird. “The issue of international freedom of religion is a matter that the Government of Canada takes very seriously. While still in the planning stages, we envision this office as part of our efforts to promote human rights, encourage the protection of religious minorities around the world and promote Canadian values.”
No comments:
Post a Comment