Reporters travelling with Prime Minister Stephen Harper on his three-day, four-country European tour have been wondering for a little while now, just what is this all about?

Why Europe? Why now, and what exactly is the prime minister doing here?

Harper's office says the trip is about talking to European leaders in advance of the G8 leaders summit in Japan in July. On the agenda, the PMO says, climate change, trade and the global economy.

Harper has so far met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. But what do leaders talk about behind closed doors? And, does any of it matter?

According to this e-mail sent to reporters travelling with the prime minister, it's all junk, or at least junk mail.

From the Prime Minister's Office:
Subject: Spam: Prime Minister Harper and Chancellor Merkel Bilateral Meeting

"Chancellor Merkel thanked the Prime Minister for coming to Bonn for the CoP meeting for the UN Convention on Biodiversity, and for Canada's support for the Convention's secretariat in Montreal.

"They discussed the agenda for upcoming G8 meeting in Toyako, including the world economy, climate change, international development issues and the rise in world food prices.

"The two leaders compared their domestic objectives and programs for greenhouse gas reductions, including carbon capture and storage and increasing renewable fuels content, in the face of increased concerns over rising energy prices.

"On climate change, both leaders discussed the importance of securing commitments from all major emitters in any future climate change agreement after 2012.

"The leaders discussed the upcoming Canada-EU summit and the importance of making progress for an ambitious Canada-EU economic partnership, building on the work begun under Germany's EU Presidency.

"The prime minister raised the proposed ban on seal products.

"They discussed Ukraine and Georgia's request for admission to the NATO Membership Action Plan.

"The two leaders discussed their contributions in Afghanistan and the need to achieve stability and security in that country."