Prime Minister Witnesses the Signing of Three Arrangements with South Africa

"This is a memorable day," said the Prime Minister. "These agreements restore links between our two countries that had been broken during the fight against apartheid. A new era of cooperation and partnership between South Africa and Canada has begun."

A Trade and Investment Cooperation Arrangement between Canada and South Africa was signed by International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi and South African Minister of Finance Minister Trevor Manuel.

A Memorandum of Understanding on Sport was signed by Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps and South African Minister for Health Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

A Declaration of Intent between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of South Africa on the Commencement of Negotiations on Treaties on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and on Extradition was signed by Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Anne McLellan and South African Minister for Health Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

NEW ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN CANADA AND SOUTH AFRICA

Trade and Investment Cooperation Arrangement

The Trade and Investment Cooperation Arrangement (TICA) signed by Canada and South Africa aims to bolster our growing commercial links. The bilateral trade policy relationship will be expanded, with senior level meetings to be held regularly under the auspices of a Consultative Group, created under the TICA. These sessions, for example, will provide each country with the opportunity to raise difficulties encountered in the other's market, with a view to resolving such problems.

Memorandum of Understanding on Sport between Canada and South Africa

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Sport between Canada and South Africa proposes co-operation between Canada and South Africa in both developmental and high performance sport through the exchange of information and expertise and the participation in joint projects. The agreement covers many aspects of sport including medicine and anti- doping policies and programs focused on underrepresented groups of athletes (including athletes with a disability, and women and girls); principles of training and competition; and the hosting of Major Games.

Declaration of Intent between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of South Africa on the Commencement of Negotiations on Treaties on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and on Extradition

The Declaration of Intent expresses Canada and South Africa's intention to commence negotiations on treaties on Extradition and on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.

The Treaty on Extradition permits the extradition of fugitive offenders from South Africa to Canada and vice versa. The Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters ensures that each country provides the other with "the widest measure of mutual assistance in criminal matters". The goal of the treaty is to improve the effectiveness of both countries in the investigation, prosecution and suppression of transnational crime through cooperation and mutual legal assistance. It generally includes the gathering of evidence and assisting the police in one jurisdiction to carry out investigations in the other jurisdiction. It ensures that evidence gathered in South Africa can be used in a Canadian court, and vice versa.

South Africa is the first African nation with which Canada proposes to enter into such agreements.