Minister of Intergovernmental, International and Aboriginal Relations Cal Dallas heads to Europe this week to advance trade and energy relations.

Dallas, who is also MLA for Red Deer South will spend time in France, Switzerland and the UK to discuss the European Union’s proposed Fuel Quality Directive (FQD) with industry.

He returns Dec. 20.

“We support the intent of the fuel quality directive and the EU’s commitment to addressing global climate change,” said Dallas.

“Our concern is the language in the proposed FQD, which discriminates against our oil sands while not applying the same level of scrutiny to all of Europe’s other existing crude suppliers.”

Dallas will also focus on growing Alberta’s presence in these key markets when he meets with investors and business community representatives.

“When taken together, Europe is Alberta’s third largest trading partner, and the second largest source of foreign direct investment into Canada,” Dallas said. “There are significant opportunities to grow our trade and investment relations abroad.”

In Geneva, Dallas will take part in World Trade Organization (WTO) policy meetings to discuss the ‘Doha Round’ of negotiations and emphasize Alberta’s support for free trade.

He will also meet with Canadian ministers and negotiators to advance the province’s WTO priority interests and participate in a business roundtable in Paris along with the Canadian Minister of International Trade Ed Fast.

Dallas will also be meeting with Canada’s ambassador to France.

Alberta’s trade and investment relations with the UK will also be bolstered when Dallas meets with Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce board members.

-Weber