Trade, security and bird flu on agenda as top North American officials meet

[Snowy Owl]

Trade, security and bird flu on agenda as top North American officials meet
http://www.cjad.com/node/485837
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OTTAWA (CP) - Some of the most powerful politicians in North America have wrapped up a day of talks on a range of issues, from trade and security to the bird flu.​

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay hosted today's meeting in Ottawa with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Mexican Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa and other top officials. MacKay offered fews specifics about the meeting, saying it was about furthering co-operation to make North America a safer place to live and a more prosperous place to work.
Rice said they touched on a wide range of issues, including public health, environmental threats, natural disasters, organized crime, and reserves of clean energy.
The meeting is part of an ongoing discussion group called the Security and Prosperity Partnership.
The partnership seeks to make the continent more competitive by trying to harmonize regulations and standards on everything from food safety to clothing labels.
Much of the dialogue also deals with public safety issues, such a common North American approach to dealing with a possible flu pandemic or terrorist attacks.
But the partnership has been decried by politicians and nationalist groups in both Canada and the United States as too secretive and a potential threat to sovereignty.
Critics say there should be more public input and legislative oversight over decisions made on big issues such as the integration of North American energy markets.
The partnership is expected to result in recommendations for the leaders of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico when they meet at a summit in Canada this year.