 |
|
VANCOUVER – A memorandum of co-operation between the Province of B.C. and the State of Alaska will enhance economic development opportunities and create stronger ties between the two jurisdictions, Premier Gordon Campbell and Governor Frank H. Murkowski announced today. The two leaders signed the memorandum today at the Premier’s Vancouver Office.
“Alaska is a natural and important partner for British Columbia, and we’ve been working toward a stronger and more productive relationship since 2001,” Campbell said. “Governor Murkowski’s long experience and contacts in Washington, D.C. make him a powerful advocate for our shared interests in economic development, border security and free trade. I look forward to working closely with him to further our goals on issues like softwood lumber and the proposed passport requirement to enter the U.S.”
“Within the last two years, I signed agreements with Alberta and the Yukon Territory to work on areas of mutual co-operation,” said Murkowski. “British Columbia is a natural addition to our framework of intergovernmental co-operation. We have our differences, but our similarities in climate, geography, economics, and resources far outweigh those differences. This agreement will help our individual sovereigns grow and prosper by formally recognizing the important ways in which we can work together.”
The memorandum pledges that the two governments will work co-operatively on common goals in the areas of economic development, energy, environment, mining, tourism, transportation and wildlife management. The two leaders will designate officials in their offices to work together on these goals and will periodically meet to monitor progress.
-30-
|
contact: |
Press Secretary Office of the Premier 250 213-8218 |
Press Secretary Office of the Governor 907 269-7450 |
|
|
||
|
Visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services. |
||
