Prime Minister of Canada to attend the G-7 Summit In Germany and travel to Ukraine

On June 1 Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that he will travel to Germany to participate in the G-7 Schloss Elmau Summit on June 7 and 8, 2015. Prior to the Summit, he will travel to Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 6. Following the G-7 Summit, he will visit Warsaw, Poland, from June 8 to 10. He will end his travels in Vatican City and Rome on June 10 and 11.

Prime Minister Harper stated, “Canada continues to stand with the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression. We will continue to support the country as it takes the necessary steps towards freedom, security and prosperity. I look forward to receiving a personal update on the situation in Ukraine from President Poroshenko and Prime Minister Yatsenyuk prior to attending the G-7 Summit.” This is the third visit of Prime Minister Harper to Ukraine since January 2014.

The G-7 Summit brings together the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.

Discussions at this year’s G-7 Summit will focus on the global economy, development and key foreign policy and security challenges, including Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine, actions by the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria, and Boko Haram in Africa.

During his visit to Ukraine – his third to the country since January 2014 – Prime Minister Harper will meet with President Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk ahead of the G-7 Summit to discuss the international community’s response to Russian aggression and Canada’s continued support for Ukraine’s ambitious economic and democratic reforms.  

In Poland, the Prime Minister will meet with Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz, President Bronisław Komorowski and President-elect Andrzej Duda. Leaders will discuss regional security and ways to strengthen the already deep ties between the two countries, including by way of the Canada-EU Trade Agreement.

In Vatican City, Prime Minister Harper will have an audience with His Holiness Pope Francis and will meet with His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

In Rome, Prime Minister Harper will meet with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. The leaders are expected to discuss global security issues as well as ways to strengthen bilateral and commercial relations between Canada and Italy, including through the Canada-EU Trade Agreement.