This release was issued under a previous government.
“It is a great privilege to welcome François Hollande, President of the Republic of France, to Banff and to our province. This visit is as historic as it is valuable given the long-standing friendship between Alberta and France that begins with our cultural roots and extends to our dynamic and prosperous trade and investment ties.
“Market access continues to be the most pressing issue facing the province, and today we took a significant step on this front with the signing of a Letter of Intent between Alberta and the Ministry of Agriculture, Agri-food and Forestry of the French Republic.
“Together, our governments have made a commitment to promote relationships, share information, knowledge and expertise, and collaborate on our mutual priorities in agriculture research and post-secondary academics.
“France remains one of Alberta’s most important European trading partners. We look forward to the ratification and implementation of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, and today’s signing symbolizes one step of many that will surely follow as we work with France to tap into emerging opportunities across a variety of sectors – from energy to agriculture to advanced technologies.”