Post by MiG on May 11, 2010 12:09:08 GMT -5
Exchange deal with Canada is seen as boost for Croatia
Young democracy welcomes 'new era' of bilateral relations
By MEAGAN FITZPATRICK, Canwest News Service May 8, 2010
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said yesterday their two countries have entered a "new era" of bilateral relations.
After signing an agreement yesterday that will allow more youths to work and travel in each other's countries, Kosor thanked Harper for being the first Canadian prime minister to visit Croatia since it declared independence in 1991.
The memorandum of understanding stipulates that Canadians age 18 to 35 can travel and work in Croatia for up to one year, and vice-versa.
Canada has similar agreements with 26 other countries.
Harper announced the accords after a meeting with Kosor yesterday evening.
Harper is in Croatia's capital as part of a brief tour through four European countries that began Wednesday with the Canada-European Union summit in Brussels.
When he arrived at the Croatian prime minister's offices, a small crowd was on hand at St. Mark's Square to watch the official welcoming ceremony. Among them were several Canadian expatriates - two of them sporting Canadiens jerseys.
Gordy Samija, originally from Montreal, said he is "very proud" to see Harper visit Croatia and that his visit is symbolic. It lends legitimacy, he said, to the young country, which has been on its path to democracy only since 1992.
Harper planned to meet with the Canadien hockey fans after his dinner with the Croatian prime minister.
Earlier yesterday, Harper was in Amsterdam and met with Dutch business leaders. He then had lunch with Queen Beatrix at the monarch's main residence, a 300-year-old manor.
Princess Margriet also attended the luncheon. Her connection to Canada dates back more than 65 years: She was born at the Ottawa Civic Hospital in 1943. The Dutch royal family came to Canada for safety during the Second World War.
On Thursday, Harper was at a ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands from German occupation in the Second World War.
"You had a very good day yesterday," Queen Beatrix said to Harper during a photo opportunity.
"We always have a good time when we come here," he replied. "The friendship is so deep."
During his stay in the Netherlands, Harper also met with the country's prime minister, Jan Peter Balkenende, after they had both participated in Thursday's liberation ceremony.
Following his visit to Croatia, Harper is to fly to Germany to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The global economy was already at the top of the agenda for the talks but will take on even greater significance given this week's stock market turmoil.
© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette
Young democracy welcomes 'new era' of bilateral relations
By MEAGAN FITZPATRICK, Canwest News Service May 8, 2010
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said yesterday their two countries have entered a "new era" of bilateral relations.
After signing an agreement yesterday that will allow more youths to work and travel in each other's countries, Kosor thanked Harper for being the first Canadian prime minister to visit Croatia since it declared independence in 1991.
The memorandum of understanding stipulates that Canadians age 18 to 35 can travel and work in Croatia for up to one year, and vice-versa.
Canada has similar agreements with 26 other countries.
Harper announced the accords after a meeting with Kosor yesterday evening.
Harper is in Croatia's capital as part of a brief tour through four European countries that began Wednesday with the Canada-European Union summit in Brussels.
When he arrived at the Croatian prime minister's offices, a small crowd was on hand at St. Mark's Square to watch the official welcoming ceremony. Among them were several Canadian expatriates - two of them sporting Canadiens jerseys.
Gordy Samija, originally from Montreal, said he is "very proud" to see Harper visit Croatia and that his visit is symbolic. It lends legitimacy, he said, to the young country, which has been on its path to democracy only since 1992.
Harper planned to meet with the Canadien hockey fans after his dinner with the Croatian prime minister.
Earlier yesterday, Harper was in Amsterdam and met with Dutch business leaders. He then had lunch with Queen Beatrix at the monarch's main residence, a 300-year-old manor.
Princess Margriet also attended the luncheon. Her connection to Canada dates back more than 65 years: She was born at the Ottawa Civic Hospital in 1943. The Dutch royal family came to Canada for safety during the Second World War.
On Thursday, Harper was at a ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands from German occupation in the Second World War.
"You had a very good day yesterday," Queen Beatrix said to Harper during a photo opportunity.
"We always have a good time when we come here," he replied. "The friendship is so deep."
During his stay in the Netherlands, Harper also met with the country's prime minister, Jan Peter Balkenende, after they had both participated in Thursday's liberation ceremony.
Following his visit to Croatia, Harper is to fly to Germany to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The global economy was already at the top of the agenda for the talks but will take on even greater significance given this week's stock market turmoil.
© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette
www.montrealgazette.com/news/Exchange+deal+with+Canada+seen+boost+Croatia/3001533/story.html