Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
First of all, I want to thank and commend Chancellor Merkel for her warm welcome and her wonderful job in chairing the Summit.
Under the Chancellor's leadership, we have been able to look at some fundamental and urgent, even dangerous, issues that are facing our allies and the international community.
In particular, we have discussed ways to strengthen the global economy and revitalize international development.
And we have reviewed our security policies, especially on anti-terrorism in connection with the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
We also discussed the aggression of the Putin regime in Ukraine.
For Canada, the G-7 is and must remain our primary forum with key world partners who are committed to shared principles of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, as well as market-oriented prosperity, sustainable development and mutual security.
It’s important for Canada the G-7 leaders have renewed our resolve against Mr. Putin’s illegal annexation of Crimea and invasion of Eastern Ukraine.
Since the onset of that crisis, Canada has stood proudly and firmly with the expressed democratic will of the Ukrainian people for a free and democratic Euro-Atlantic future, and against the occupation and dictatorship of a Soviet past.
And of course, on Saturday in Kyiv, I assured President Poroshenko and all Ukrainians of our continued support.
Leaders here also addressed ongoing instability in the Middle East and the threat of global terrorism posed most dangerously by the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria: ISIS.
Canada will, along with other G-7 members, continue to participate in the international coalition against ISIS.
We’re doing so because we must continue to degrade the capabilities of this terrorist organization that seeks a secure base from which to harm Canada and Canadians.
G-7 members also reinforced our shared commitment to providing humanitarian support in conflict-affected areas.
And of course, we discussed the global economy, and more particularly, ways to strengthen the global recovery in light of ongoing uncertainty.
Our record of economic management, balanced budgets, lower taxes and free trade stands out here at the G-7.
Regarding the Canada-EU Trade Agreement, good discussions were held with the EU leadership to take stock of our efforts towards implementation.
We’re all working hard to complete the necessary procedural steps to bring this historic agreement into force.
Leaders also discussed the forthcoming United Nations conference on climate change and ongoing G-7 efforts to improve the lives of the world's most vulnerable populations.
I’m particularly encouraged by the determination of my G-7 colleagues to keep moving forward on the job we started with the 2010 Muskoka Initiative on Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health.
Finally, leaders also examined the ongoing humanitarian tragedy posed by human smuggling, an issue our European colleagues are grappling with urgently.
Our Government has taken a range of measures over the past few years to strengthen our system and to prevent illegal migration.
Indeed, I announced today that our Government will be providing new resources to combat human smuggling into Canada.
Finally, I want to note that I had the opportunity to have good bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Cameron, Presidents Juncker and Tusk, Chancellor Merkel and President Buhari.
Thank you.
