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Canadian Premier hopes to integrate economy with European Union

Globe and Mail
Ocotber 12, 2008

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ONT. — Canada’s premiers will play a pivotal role in the country’s efforts to integrate its economy with the 27 nations of the European Union, Quebec Premier Jean Charest says.

Preliminary talks between Canadian and European officials will begin on Oct. 17 at a summit in Montreal. The provinces’ role in the negotiations will be instrumental to the fate of the proposed massive agreement because it involves issues that primarily fall under their jurisdiction, Mr. Charest told The Globe and Mail yesterday.

No deal could happen without the premiers at the table, he said.

“Unless we are fully involved in the negotiations, we are not going to get the deal we want,â€