Increased U.S.-Canadian ties recommended

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WASHINGTON, March 23 (UPI) -- Officials at a Washington think tank recommend U.S. officials improve relations with Canada to help capitalize on their shared interests and resources.

Brookings Institution officials say the two North American countries should work toward improving their diplomatic relations to make the most out of the natural resources along the U.S.-Canadian border, The Buffalo (N.Y.) News reported Sunday.

"The European Union is a living example today of the power of economic integration," institution official John Austin said in a new Great Lakes economy report.

"We're not islands; we're mutually dependent. We need an attitude adjustment. We have powerful attributes that we can build on and benefit from, if we have effective leadership."

The report outlines ways to create a human capital and commerce market between the United States and Canada by 2030, the News said.

Brookings researchers say to created that improved market, both U.S. and Canadian officials must move forward on key regional issues such as the management and security of their shared border.