I would like to add my thanks to all of you for the honour of having you here today to speak with us.
I was encouraged by some of your words, that the EU wants to have a much stronger economic relationship with Canada. You also indicated that Europe is not in a protectionist mood. I think that's very important.
We also know, though, that certainly globally, with the economic conditions that have occurred, there are serious economic challenges around the world. Europe and Canada are not excluded from that, with very limited GDP growth in Europe, Canada, and around the world.
I'd like to know your sense of optimism from the EU's perspective on our ability to successfully negotiate a Canada-EU free trade agreement.