As the province continues to emerge as an economy on the rise on the international stage, the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, returned from the European Union (EU) this week where he spent time meeting with government officials and industry representatives, promoting the province. Premier Williams' meetings covered a wide array of topics including the fishery, the seal harvest, oil and gas, Canada-EU trade and investment opportunities.

"Newfoundland and Labrador has a tremendous story of success and opportunity to share with the world," said Premier Williams. "Even during these difficult world economic times, our province is ideally positioned for growth and prosperity. We have spent the past several years laying a foundation for growth and prosperity, and while we still have challenges to face, we are now yielding the benefits of that work. The individuals I met with were generally knowledgeable about the success of our province and were genuinely intrigued to hear about how we achieved this success, particularly our strong financial position. They were equally eager to hear about the tremendous opportunities we have before us and I spent a fair amount of time sharing with them our vision and our plan for growth, including the significant projects and investment opportunities we have on the horizon."

In 2008, Newfoundland and Labrador exported approximately $2.3 billion in goods and services into the EU; and imported $230 million. Last year, the EU accounted for 21.5 per cent of Newfoundland and Labrador�s seafood export values. Other major exports of the province into the EU include iron ore, copper, petroleum and nickel.

"We have many synergies with the EU countries as a natural trading partner and on account of our geographic position, and I sensed a genuine desire to further explore all opportunities for our mutual benefit. Of course, we also have outstanding issues such as prohibitive tariffs on seafood, to which we continue to aggressively seek resolutions."

The EU is one of the most important markets in the world for seafood products. The EU consumer is willing to pay premium prices for high quality seafood. The tariffs faced by Newfoundland and Labrador products, however, results in a substantial loss in economic value. Trade barriers limit market access and make our products more expensive. It is estimated that the elimination of seafood tariffs into the EU could add $100 million to the value of our industry.

While in the EU, the Premier met with several officials including: Baroness Catherine Ashton, EU Commissioner for Trade; Joe Borg, EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries; Juan Carlos Martin Fragueiro, Secretary General of the Sea; Miguel Angel Moratinos Cuyaube, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Spain; Canada�s Ambassador to the EU, Mr. Ross Hornby; and the Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mr. James Wright.

"In the context of Canada-EU free trade negotiations, I reminded officials that Newfoundland and Labrador has strong trading ties with EU countries dating back centuries; and we support Canada-EU free trade provided our interests are safeguarded," said Premier Williams. "We have many opportunities to explore in the EU, including for example the vast potential markets for wood pellets and we shared with officials the province�s desire to be a source for this renewable energy resource. We agreed to work with officials to further develop a strategy to infiltrate these markets. Having said that, I also made it very clear that we have very specific issues and concerns including but not limited to tariffs on seafood and custodial management that must be on the table during these talks between our jurisdictions. I also explained that our province has concerns about proper representation at the Canada-EU trade talks. I was pleased to be assured by EU leaders that as a province we have open and direct lines of communication, and our voice will be heard."

Newfoundland and Labrador�s direct representation to EU officials ensures that the province�s views are understood and are not lost in the broader package of interests presented by Canada.

Premier Williams also took the opportunity to discuss the Canadian seal harvest and his support for WTO action. "I had several very frank discussions about the issue of the ban on seal products into the EU. I expressed our very serious concern with the implications of this action, both from a conservation perspective and from a trade point of view. I also took the opportunity to once again remind them that the action taken by the EU is not based on sound evidence or science and as such it represents an affront to our people."

The Premier also met with Spanish officials; some of whom will be visiting the province later this month.

"I discussed with Spanish officials our historic ties to their country, particularly in relation to the fishery," said the Premier. "We had a very good and productive discussion about the importance of science and conservation. I expressed to them some of our concerns with NAFO and the impact of overfishing on our fishery resources. They indicated that they share these concerns. Indeed, we look forward to their trip to Newfoundland and Labrador this month when they will be accompanied by their science and research vessel."

Premier Williams also met with industry officials in the oil and gas sector including Repsol, who have recently entered the Newfoundland and Labrador petroleum industry; and Wood Mackenzie, who are industry consultants for the Provincial Government.

"Repsol is a new player in our petroleum industry and I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet with company officials at their request, and to hear of some of their plans for the future," said Premier Williams. "We are always delighted to see companies coming to this province as it indicates their confidence in our economy and in our province as a place to do business. In our conversation with Wood Mackenzie, we learned that it is increasingly important in this globally competitive environment to constantly market the petroleum resource potential of the province and government plans to do just that as we continue to grow as an energy warehouse."

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