Pelosi, Boehner Remarks Before Meeting With Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Republican Leader John Boehner held a brief press availability this morning with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper before their meeting in the Capitol. Below are their remarks:
Speaker Pelosi. Good afternoon. I'm very honored to be able to once again welcome the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, back to the Capitol.
Canada and the United States, as you know, are the closest of friends and we value that friendship enormously in the Congress of the United States. We have worked together on issues that relate to our economies, and climate changes issues, and of course, our national security. As allies in NATO and in other workings together, we know that they are our biggest trade partners, they're our very close neighbor, and our very good friends.
The Prime Minister has met with President Obama. We all know that we not only share a border, but we share values, and they discussed that. We look forward to our discussion with the Prime Minister, with Republican and Democratic leadership of the House.
In that respect, I would like to yield to our Republican Leader, Mr. Boehner.
Republican Leader Boehner. Well, thank you, Madam Speaker and we do want to welcome the Prime Minister here to the Capitol. We enjoy a great friendship with the Canadian people but like any relationship, it requires communication and discussion. So, we're glad that you are here. We look forward to very helpful and hopefully successful conversation. Thank you.
Prime Minister Harper. Well thank you very much Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader Boehner. I really appreciate your warm welcome. As you know it is always a great honor for us to come and visit our friends in the United States -- our most enduring ally, our closest neighbor, and far and away our best friend in the world.
We are just so lucky to have you as a neighbor and really honored today that you are willing to take some time with us.