Canada and Republic of Korea extend bilateral cooperation

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today welcomed the signing of five new Canada-Korea understandings that will foster stronger economic, political, and cultural ties between the two countries.

The key undertaking is the Industrial and Technological Co-operation Arrangement," said Mr. Chrétien. "This initiative commits our respective governments to work with the private sector to build business partnerships across our frontiers. In particular, we have agreed to negotiate an agreement on telecommunication standards that will strengthen Canadian and Korean companies for competition in regional and global markets.

The arrangements concern working holidays for youth and co-operation in agriculture, social security and natural heritage. They were signed in Ottawa and witnessed by the Prime Minister and by Korean President Kim Young Sam during the President's state visit to Canada. Prime Minister Chrétien and President Kim also expressed support for the creation of the Canada-Korea Forum which will bring together eminent people from academia, business and government to provide guidance on deepening the bilateral relationship.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

This arrangement will support and facilitate the development of industrial and technological cooperation between Canadian and Korean businesses and organizations, especially in the priority sectors of telecommunications, environment, energy, biotechnology, manufacturing technologies, chemicals and new materials. In addition, both countries undertake to conclude within a year negotiations on a mutual recognition agreement on test results and certification procedures of telecommunications equipment. The arrangement was signed today by Industry Minister John Manley on behalf of the Government of Canada and Minister of International Trade, Industry and Energy Park Jae Yoon, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Korea. Minister for International Trade Roy MacLaren will also co sign the arrangement.

2. Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of Korea on Working Holiday Programs

Under the provisions of this Memorandum, the Governments of Canada and Korea will take measures which will enable qualified citizens of each country, between the ages of 18 and 25, to spend up to six months on working holidays in the other country. The Memorandum was signed by Foreign Affairs Minister André Ouellet on behalf of the Government of Canada and Foreign Affairs Minister Gong Ro Myung on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Korea.

3. Memorandum of Understanding between Parks Canada of the Department of Canadian Heritage of the Government of Canada and the Korea National Park Authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of the Republic of Korea

This Memorandum provides a framework for co-operation and co-ordination between the governments of Canada and Korea in the areas of management, research, protection and conservation of natural and cultural heritage areas and sites. In addition, both countries undertake to support Heritage Tourism between Canada and Korea. It was signed by Minister of Canadian Heritage Michel Dupuy on behalf of the Government of Canada and by Chairman of the Korea National Park Authority Kim Nam on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Korea.

4. Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of Korea on Co operation in the Fields of Agriculture and the Agri-Food Industry

This Memorandum will increase technical and commercial co-operation in the agriculture and agri-food sectors by creating a Korea-Canada Joint Agricultural Working Group. The Working Group will serve as a forum for consultation and for the exchange of information. It will identify opportunities for co-operative ventures in these sectors. The Memorandum was signed by Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ralph Goodale on behalf of the Government of Canada and by Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Choi In Kee on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Korea.

5. Declaration of Intention to Conclude an Agreement on Social Security Between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of Korea

This agreement will ensure continuity of social security coverage when individuals are posted from one country to the other for a period up to five years in the course of their employment. It will also assist persons who have worked in both countries to establish eligibility for Canadian and Korean benefits. The agreement will cover Canada's Old Age Security program, the Canada Pension Plan and the comparable Korean programs that provide pensions for old age, retirement, disability and survivorship. The Declaration of Intention was signed by Foreign Affairs Minister André Ouellet on behalf of the Government of Canada and by Foreign Affairs Minister Gong Ro Myung on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Korea.