Further Strengthening the Canada-United Kingdom Partnership
Foreign Secretary William Hague meets with Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird during his visit to Ottawa.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Foreign Secretary William Hague
Foreign Secretary William Hague met with Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today to review and refresh the Canada-UK Joint Declaration agreed by Prime Ministers Stephen Harper and David Cameron in September 2011.
鈥淐anada鈥檚 relationship with the UK is deeply rooted in our common history and shared values,鈥 said Minister Baird. 鈥淚n the last year, our strategic partnership on a range of global issues has only strengthened.鈥
In advance of next week鈥檚 United Nations General Assembly, John Baird and William Hague discussed a number of pressing global issues - notably Iran and Syria - and the Commonwealth reform agenda.
The two men also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 鈥楨nhancing Mutual Support at Missions Abroad.鈥 The agreement will see Canada and the United Kingdom make the most of their respective diplomatic resources by exploring further co-location, as well collaboration on consular services.
鈥淭his is about increasing Canada鈥檚 diplomatic reach in a handful of areas where we don鈥檛 already have a presence,鈥 said Minister Baird. 鈥淐anada will be sharing space, as we do with other trusted countries, to get maximum reach at minimal cost to taxpayers. We will do so while maintaining our principled, independent foreign policy.鈥
Minister Baird highlighted Canada鈥檚 commitment to concluding a free trade deal with the European Union to help create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity.
鈥淭he Canada-UK commercial relationship is highly valued, and one that a Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement will only enhance.鈥
He added: 鈥淚t will spur new growth, more jobs and improved economic prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.鈥
The Foreign Secretary emphasized Britain鈥檚 commitment to working with Canada on our foreign policy priorities, especially the continuing crisis in Syria.
He said 鈥淲e committed today to work even more closely together across the broad range of our bilateral relationship, and in particular on Syria, the most pressing international issue on our common agenda. We agreed to collaborate to ensure safe and unhindered access to humanitarian actors, and to continue to encourage the UN Security Council to take firm action to support a political solution鈥
The Minister and Foreign Secretary also discussed the situation of British pensioners in Canada, whose UK Government pensions are not indexed to inflation.
The two ministers committed to staying in close contact on matters of mutual interest and concern.