Fresh off her vacation, German Chancellor Angela MerkelAngela Merkel will visit CanadaCanada on Wednesday for a no agenda meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
While touted as a private chat with one of the power players in Europe, trade and energy are sure to be on the agenda. Trade has been high on the Prime Minister's agenda and off course there has been the issue of the EU's consideration to define Alberta Oilsands oil as "dirty oil."
Merkel arrives in Ottawa Wednesday afternoon and will start with an official ceremony at Parliament Hill, a private discussion with the Canadian Prime Minister. This will be followed with a stopover by Merkel in Halifax, Nova Scotia to sign a memorandum of understanding on scientific research between Dalhousie University and the Helmholz Association of German Research Centres.
Die Zeit reported a week ago that Merkel would fly to Canada on completion of her vacation in southern Tyrol. The chanceller will be accompanied by a delegation of economists and that both countries have a close relationship, Die Zeit said.
The Thueringer Allgemeine reported that Merkel is traveling to her first bilateral visit to Canada. The focus of her talks with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, among other issues, will be the trade agreement between Canada and the EU.
While trade will be a large part of the discussion, Canada stance on Kyoto will, no doubt, be discussed. The EU has a very ambitious carbon reduction process and Canada's abandonment of Kyoto does not sit well with Europeans and with German government officials.
Merkel, who is both a chemist and politician also has an electorate to account to, will undoubtedly be asked whether or not she addressed the issue with the Canadian Prime Minister.
While both leaders are conservative, their views differ on the issue of energy and the environment and the resolution of the EU crisis. Harper has declined, to this point, to contribute to the IMF for the European bailout. Merkel is expected to press Harper on this issue.
There is agreement on the handling of Syria, with both countries rejecting military action. The latest developments on the Iran nuclear development talks should also be part of their discussion.
For the most part the visit and talks will be amicable with both leaders receiving something as a result of the talks. Canada's interests centre around a trade deal with the EU, while Merkel is looking for a commitment by Canada for the EU bailout.
Canada and Germany have had a good rapport in the past and are seen as sober politicians who don't have extreme personal vandettas. Harper has been on the global stage criticizing the Europeans for their handling of the EU crisis. The EU has criticized Harper for not being willing to contribute to the global good.
