THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Stephen Harper is at the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague today to meet various officials at an event largely overshadowed by the crisis in eastern Europe.
The prime minister met his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe, on the second day of the summit, which is focused on ensuring the globe’s nuclear materials cannot be acquired by terrorists.
The two leaders discussed trade and touched on the G7’s concerns about the Russian crisis. Both Canada and Japan are in the G7, and Japan is Canada’s fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral merchandise trade exceeding $24 billion in 2013
The prime minister also had a brief chat with President Xi Jinping of China.
Harper offered his personal condolences over the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. About two-thirds of the plane’s passengers were from China.
The two also discussed Gov. Gen. David Johnston’s recent state visit to China and the possibility of Harper going to China later this year.
Harper was slated to meet later in the day with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key.
The prime minister’s appearance at the summit comes the day after G7 leaders announced they had essentially booted Russia out of the G8 due to its recent annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula.
WATCH: G8 contemplating further action against Russia, including sanctions on their key energy industry
There are 53 world leaders in this pristine European capital punctuated by several picturesque canals and ponds and boasting a deer sanctuary in the middle of town. Young bucks are frequently seen bashing antlers playfully as residents of The Hague speed by on bicycles on their way to work.
At the end of the day, the prime minister will make a statement to mark the conclusion of the nuclear summit.
On Wednesday morning, he heads to Germany for two days.
His agenda there will include a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The situation in eastern Europe will dominate their discussions.
WATCH: US President Barack Obama discusses the specific goals the anti-proliferation summit hopes to achieve
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