Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper (R) meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Prime Minister's office on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada on August 16, 2012. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper received a boost Thursday from German Chancellor Angela Merkel for his country's bid to formalize a free trade pact with the European Union (EU) and termed the relationship with Germany as one of "certain friends in an uncertain world." (Xinhua/Pool/Blair Gable)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper walk down the Hall of Honour on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada on August 16, 2012. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper received a boost Thursday from German Chancellor Angela Merkel for his country's bid to formalize a free trade pact with the European Union (EU) and termed the relationship with Germany as one of "certain friends in an uncertain world." (Xinhua/David Kawai)