Economic matters will dominate talks when German Chancellor Angela Merkel meets with our Prime Minister in Ottawa on Wednesday. 

Stephen Harper explained in Toronto on Monday, “the big discussion points will be to get an update on the evolving situation in Europe, and also to discuss our trade negotiations.  We just completed another round.  These continue to move forward in a very positive way.” 

The Prime Minister says given the ongoing economic turmoil around the world, it’s in the interests of both Canada and the E-U to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

The German Chancellor is under mounting pressure to take a hard line with crisis-wracked Greece to ensure it imposes the stiff economic reforms being demanded by its E-U creditors.