Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
OTTAWA, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday he expects the United States to "respect Canada's sovereignty" after media reports that U.S. officials met with the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), a pro-independence group in Alberta.
At a press conference following a meeting with the heads of the country's provinces and territories, M. Carney answered a question about this meeting.
"I expect the US administration to respect Canada's sovereignty," the prime minister said, adding that the issue of separatism had not been raised in his conversations with US President Donald Trump.
M. Carney's comments echoed those of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who also spoke at a press conference on Thursday. "I expect the U.S. administration to respect Canada's sovereignty and limit discussion of the democratic process in Alberta to Albertans and Canadians," Smith said.
She mentioned that she would instruct her government representative in Washington to convey her concerns to the US administration.
Other provincial leaders also condemned the meetings between US and APP officials, with British Columbia Premier David Eby calling them "treason."
"Going to another country and asking for help in breaking up Canada—there's an old-fashioned word for that, and it's treason," D. Eby told reporters on Thursday.
The controversy arose after the Financial Times reported that APP leaders had met several times with US State Department officials in Washington since April last year.
The APP is reportedly seeking another meeting to request a $500 billion loan to support the province in the event of a successful independence referendum. This is not currently planned.
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