Northern Exposure

President Obama made his first international trip today, jetting to Ottawa to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. On the agenda were issues related to "responding to international security challenges," according to a joint statement released after their meeting:

The President and the Prime Minister agreed on the importance of Canada and the United States cooperating closely on a number of key international priorities for both countries, with a particular focus on Afghanistan which is a top priority for both countries and which will be a major subject of attention at the upcoming NATO Summit. The Leaders also agreed to work together closely in the Americas, including promoting effective discussion and meaningful results at the Summit of the Americas in April.

Our Foreign Ministers will meet in Washington next week, and Ministers of Defence the following week, to pursue a strengthened dialogue on these and other key international challenges.