Minister Rickford Meets with European Union Ambassadors: Emphasizes Canada's Position as Secure, Reliable and Responsible Source of Energy

OTTAWA, Dec. 11, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today met with 25 European Union (EU) member-state ambassadors to Canada and led a one-hour discussion on Canada's growing cooperation on energy and resources with the EU. Minister Rickford focused on the importance of Canada's role as a secure, reliable and responsible developer of natural resources that is making a growing contribution to global energy security.

The EU is Canada's second-most important trade and investment partner with potential to further advance collaboration between Canada and the EU. Last August, Canada and the EU successfully concluded a historic free trade agreement and Leaders released the complete text of the Canada–EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) during the Canada–EU summit held in Ottawa in September. Earlier that month, Canada also concluded negotiations for the Canada–EU Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA).

These two agreements will invigorate an already impressive economic relationship between Canada and the EU.

During the meeting, Minister Rickford reinforced his support for a European Union Fuel Quality Directive (FQD) that reduces transportation emissions and is based on science and the facts. He reiterated Canada's position that any measure that provides separate, more onerous treatment for oil sands crude relative to other crude with similar or higher GHG emission intensities is discriminatory and adverse to the FQD's intent.

Minister Rickford shared Canada's view that objection to the existing implementing measure calls for the return of a discriminatory and non-scientific approach — one that was previously rejected by a majority of EU member states.

Quotes

"Canada is a secure, responsible and reliable source of energy that is making a growing contribution to global energy security. We support the FQD's intent to reduce transportation emissions, but believe it should be based on science and the facts. Our government will continue advocating for Canadian interests and Canadian jobs."

Greg Rickford
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

Associated Links

Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) 
Canada-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA)

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SOURCE: Natural Resources Canada

Contacts: Alexandra Lemieux, Press Secretary, Office of Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, 613-996-2007; Media Relations, Natural Resources Canada, 613-992-4447; The general public may contact:Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EST, Telephone: [phone], TTY: 613-996-4397(teletype for the hearing-impaired), E-mail: [email protected]

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