Mihkelson: There is room for development in Estonia–Canada relations
In the opinion of the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson, there is room for development in Estonia–Canada relations, and both countries should make more use of their opportunities in the promotion of bilateral economic relations. In Mihkelson’s opinion, Estonia should seriously consider making the Canadian Embassy a full-fledged foreign mission.
“Hopefully already next year, negotiations on the trade agreement between the European Union and Canada will be completed which would provide better opportunities for mutual investments. This fact and the strong alliance relationship between us and Canada presume more active communication,” Mihkelson said.
Together with his Latvian and Lithuanian colleagues, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee met with the Speaker of the Canadian Senate Noël Kinsella, the Speaker of the House of Commons Andrew Scheer, the Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird, the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Peter Van Loan and others in Ottawa yesterday.
The relations between Canada and the Baltic states in the sphere of both economy and security were discussed at the meeting. Among other things, the Speaker of the Senate Noël Kinsella stressed that the time had come to raise the mutual relations to a new level.
Today, Mihkelson will meet the Chair of Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development of the Canadian House of Commons Dean Allison and Committee members, and participate in the panel discussion on the topic “The Baltic way – 20 years later” in Carleton University.
Mihkelson will also participate in the presentation of the credentials of Estonian Ambassador to Canada Marina Kaljurand to Governor General of Canada David Johnston today. The Ambassador Kaljurand resides in the United States of America.
The Riigikogu Press Service
1 December 2011
