President Bush and Prime Minister Jean Chretien of Canada made a joint appearance before reporters at a March 14 photo opportunity in front of the White House, offering their assessment of bilateral efforts on trade, border security, and counterterrorism.

Bush thanked Canadians for their "steadfast support" in the U.S.-led campaign against terrorism, and praised U.S.-Canadian border-security initiatives. "I believe our border cooperation is going to be a model not only for our hemisphere, but also for the world," he said.

In addition, the president highlighted the strong economic and commercial ties between the two neighbors. He emphasized that negotiators from both countries are working to achieve a trade agreement on softwood lumber, and pointed to Canada's role as "a significant supplier of energy to the United States."

For his part, Chretien agreed that "the relations between America and Canada could not be better," adding: "I think that the defense of our values and against terrorism are extremely important for Canadians."

Following is a transcript of their remarks:

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
March 14, 2002
The Colonnade

Remarks by President Bush
And Prime Minister Chretien
In Photo Opportunity

President Bush: It's my honor to welcome the Prime Minister of Canada, a personal friend and a great friend of America, back to the White House. We had a wide-ranging discussion on a lot of topics, starting with how appreciative I am of his steadfast support and the Canadian government's steadfast support and the Canadian people's steadfast support in our war against terror. We know the Canadians have put troops on the ground in Afghanistan and they have performed brilliantly. For that, we are grateful.

We also talked about our border. We've got a great relationship on our border. We've had a series of meaningful discussions on putting reforms in place. I believe our border cooperation is going to be a model for not only our hemisphere, but also for the world.

We also talked about trade issues. Canada is a massive trading partner with the United States, and it's an important trading partner of the United States. And like any relationship that has got a lot of issues, sometimes we run into rough spots. And one such issue is softwood lumber. But our negotiators, as a result of the Prime Minister's assistance and my assistance, are working overtime to achieve and agreement by March the 21st. We're making very good progress. And we've agreed to keep working hard to achieve an agreement that is satisfactory to both parties. And I believe we can achieve that.

So, Mr. Prime Minister, thank you very much for coming. Oh, by the way, we talked energy. It's important for the American people to know that as a result of our trade agreements with Canada and our close relations, Canada is a significant supplier of energy to the United States. And that's positive. It's much better for us to be securing our energy from a friend, and a stable friend, and a partner.

And so I appreciate the Canadian energy business. I appreciate the exploration that's going on. It is good for our economy. I shared with the Prime Minister I'm optimistic about our economy. We've still got some rough spots, but it looks like we may be improving. And if we are, that will be good news for both of us.

So, Mr. Prime Minister, welcome back. It is my honor to serve you dinner again and it's a thrill to be with you.

Prime Minister Chretien: Thank you, Mr. President. I cannot add to what the President said. He covered the ground very well. I think the relations between America and Canada could not be better. We are solving problems, when we have one. We are working with America in the war against terrorism. Our troops are in the fight at this moment in Afghanistan. You know, in the snow, we're good at it, President, you know. And we --

President Bush: You're good on the ice, too. (Laughter.)

Prime Minister Chretien: We are good on the ice, too. And both men and women -- (laughter.) And so -- and we have to work on our other problems. Thank you for the statement you made on softwood lumber. I think that the defense of our values and against terrorism are extremely important for Canadians. And we have worked very well together.

For me, I should say a few words in French, with your permission. Can you translate after that? (Laughter.)

(Speaks in French. Continues in English.) I want to tell you that we spoke about Africa and I want to say -- I said that in French -- I want to say thank you for what you have announced today about the programs that you have announced, because as you know, at Kananaskis in Canada, the G-8, the main topic will be Africa. And we want to establish a partnership with them. They came to Genoa last June -- you and our colleagues asked me to take -- at that time. And I think that the partnership, and with your contribution, is developing very well.

Next month I will be traveling in Africa for -- visiting five or six countries, to build a partnership, but to reward good governance, human rights, to make sure that they have real democracies and so on. And those who don't do that will have to -- not to be rewarded, because it will not meet what the world wants.

So thank you again, Mr. President.

For the press, I will take questions after my dinner. Thank you.

end transcript

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)