/EINPresswire.com/ -- PARIS, FRANCE -- (Marketwired) -- 11/29/15 -- Prime Minister's Office

Introduction

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today had his first bilateral meeting with President Francois Hollande in Paris.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed his condolences and reiterated Canada's solidarity with the people of France in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks. He restated the Government of Canada's continuing commitment to coalition efforts to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and to making strong contributions to the fight against terrorism.

The two leaders also discussed the warm and historic relationship the two countries enjoy and ways of deepening it, including through the implementation of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Pressing international issues, including the humanitarian and security situation in Iraq and Syria, the migration challenges facing Europe, and the situation in Ukraine, were also discussed.

The Prime Minister welcomed France's leadership in the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) process and underlined Canada's solid commitment to fighting climate change with an effective and sustainable international agreement. The Prime Minister emphasized that Canada intends to work closely with its provinces, territories and international partners to reduce carbon emissions and grow a climate-resilient global economy.

Quotes

"Our hearts and prayers go out to our French cousins during this dark and terrible time. The recent terrorist attacks in Paris are not only an attack on the people of France - they are also an attack on our shared ideals. These crimes are an affront to our way of life and the fundamental values we share with our closest allies. Canadians continue to offer our help and support to the government and the people of France in this time of mourning."

- Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

"Canada and France enjoy a close relationship, built on our shared history and strong cultural and economic ties that have fostered growth and cooperation. I look forward to working together with President Hollande to deepen our bilateral relationship. Together, we will focus on pressing international issues, including climate change, something for which the President has demonstrated real leadership."

- Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick Facts

--  Canada and France enjoy excellent and long-lasting bilateral relations
    based on shared history, culture, common values, and economic and
    military cooperation. For the past several years, collaboration between
    the two countries has continued to diversify and grow in importance at
    all levels.
--  France has been a supporter of CETA, which will create new bilateral
    trade and investment opportunities between Canada and France.
--  Once it enters into force, CETA will provide Canada with preferential
    market access to the largest and most lucrative integrated market in the
    world, a market of more than 500 million consumers that generates over
    $20 trillion in economic activity annually.
--  The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was adopted in
    1992 at the Rio Earth Summit to coordinate international efforts to
    address climate change. Canada is one of 195 countries that are parties
    to this convention.
--  COP 21 is the culmination of four years of international negotiations
    toward a new global climate change agreement, with the aim of keeping
    global warming below two degrees Celsius.
--  Canada is committed to working closely with France, as the host of COP
    21, and supports the active, inclusive agenda that brings both state and
    non-state actors together to accelerate cooperative climate change
    action.

Associated Links

--  Canada-European Union: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
--  Canada's Action on Climate Change
--  COP 21
--  United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

This document is also available at http://pm.gc.ca

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