President of the Republic received Peter McKellar, the Ambassador of Canada, in Kadriorg today in order to discuss President Meri's recent visit to Canada. President of the Republic met the Estonian communities in Toronto, Calgary, Stettler and Vancouver. The world-wide Estonian Festival ESTO 2000 proved to be a fitting arena to appeal to the Canadians of Estonian descent to support their country of origin, President Meri said. They can do this both by means of their intellectual accomplishments and with political lobby supporting the priorities of Estonian foreign policy. The Canadian Estonians have an extraordinary opportunity to promote Estonia's aspirations towards NATO. In his speeches, the Estonian President turned to his fellow countrymen with the appeal to apply new forms of struggle abroad to protect Estonia's and Canada's common interests.

The trade relations between Estonia and Canada present great prospects, President Meri and Ambassador McKellar confirmed. This autumn, a high-level commercial delegation from Canada will visit Estonia.

President Meri's visit to the Suncor oilsand mines situated north of Calgary in the Alberta Province was of special interest from the viewpoint of economic relations between the two countries. Here, the Canadian Ambassador sees a possibility of breakthrough for Canadian investments to Estonia. The Suncor Company especially emphasised its environmentally friendly technology and excellent recultivation works in the former mine areas.

The diplomatic relations between Estonia and Canada are excellent, both Ambassador McKellar and President Meri stated when summing up the visit at the end of today's meeting.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, July 18, 2000

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