Canada’s PM Harper departs for EU

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper departed on Tuesday for a four-day trip to Belgium, the Netherlands, Croatia and Germany to bolster support for a Canada-EU trade pact.

In Brussels, Harper is to attend a Canada-European Union summit to discuss the global economy, international developments and security issues with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy.

The meeting is also an opportunity for Harper to promote Canada’s priorities for upcoming G8 and G20 summits in Canada.

The EU and Canada launched free trade talks in 2009. Canadian officials said they hoped to reach an agreement within 18 months.