Jean Chretien: Russian Prime Minister's Visit To Canada Will Elevate Bilateral Relations To A New Level

Official visit by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov to Canada will provide an opportunity of raising bilateral relations to a new level both politically and in terms of trade. This was said on Monday by chairman of the Canadian government Jean Chretien at an official ceremony of meeting his Russian opposite number. In turn, Mikhail Kasyanov said the goal of his visit is to make additional efforts towards building up all-round cooperation between the two countries. To him, the sides are to reinvigorate trade-economic contacts, investment cooperation, interaction in the Arctic and Northern regions. The Russian prime minister recalled that Russia and Canada are linked by years of friendship and cooperation. In recent time, he added, bilateral relations are coming to a new level and an interesting political dialogue is under way. Kasyanov stated with satisfaction that on most international problems the approaches of Russia and Canada coincide. Among them are problems of international security and stability, as well as the struggle against terrorism, said the Russian premier.