Article | December 26, 2012 Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on the appointment of Shinzo Abe as Japan's Prime Minister:
"On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to congratulate Shinzo Abe on becoming the Prime Minister of Japan.
"Canada and Japan enjoy a strong and dynamic relationship, underpinned by robust trade and investment, and people to people ties. We share important values and interests in areas such as respect for democracy, the rule of law and human rights. We also work together on development and security issues and cooperate in multilateral forums, including the G-8, G-20 and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
"I look forward to working closely with the incoming government on issues of mutual importance to both our countries, including the completion of a high quality and comprehensive free trade agreement.
"I would also like to thank Japan's outgoing Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda, for his contribution towards strengthening Canada-Japan relations." |