OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that he will travel to the United States to participate in the G-8 Leaders’ Summit at Camp D avid , Maryland , on May 18 and 19, 2012. He will then participate in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Chicago , Illinois , on May 20 and 21, 2012.

At the G-8 Summit, Prime Minister Harper will reinforce Canada ’s commitment to working with international partners to bring forward concrete solutions to the world’s most pressing economic, political, social and security challenges.

“The state of the world economy is a key priority for Canada , whose economic growth over the recession and recovery period has stood out strong among G-8 countries. I look forward to working with my counterparts to create the conditions for future prosperity and job creation in a global environment of fiscal restraint,” said Prime Minister Harper. “I also look forward to discussing critical political and security issues as we continue to promote freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”

The G-8 Summit brings together the leaders of Canada , France , Germany , Italy , Japan , Russia , the United Kingdom and the United States . The European Union also participates and is represented by the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. The leaders of Benin , Ethiopia , Ghana and Tanzania have also been invited to participate in a discussion about food security on the continent.

At the NATO summit, Prime Minister Harper will reinforce Canada ’s commitment to helping advance ongoing issues that are central to the success of the Alliance . The Prime Minister will be joined by Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Minister of National D efence, Peter Mackay.

“ Canada is a key player in NATO, providing active contributions in Afghanistan and recently in Libya . The Alliance is a cornerstone of Canadian security and defence policy and a major contributor to international peace and security,” said Prime Minister Harper. “We share our Allies’ determination to face common challenges and threats together and look forward to working within a strengthened Alliance that is more modern, flexible, agile and ready to face 21st century security challenges.”

NATO was created by the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington on April 4, 1949, to promote the stability of the North Atlantic area and to safeguard the freedom of its people, based on the principles of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The Alliance has now evolved into one of the most important international organizations dealing with global security challenges. Canada views the Alliance as the primary forum for security consultation and cooperation between Europe and North America .

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