Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced several new initiatives to strengthen transatlantic relations with the European Union (EU). The announcement followed today's Canada-EU Summit, between the Prime Minister, Austrian Chancellor and President of the European Council, Viktor Klima and President of the European Commission, Jacques Santer. The Summit is one of a series of regular scheduled meetings between Canada and the European Union at head of government, ministerial and senior official levels.
"The timing of this Summit couldn't be better," said the Prime Minister. "In two weeks, the European Union will introduce a new common currency, the Euro. Our close working relationship with the EU over the years will help Canadian individuals and business to seize the opportunities in a Europe where people, goods and capital can flow much more freely."
During the Summit, the Prime Minister witnessed the signing of three Canada- European Union agreements by International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi and European Commission Vice-President Sir Leon Brittan:
Small arms and anti-personnel landmines: Canada and the EU announced their determination to follow high common standards for managing conventional arms transfers, improve their cooperation in assisting countries facing destabilizing accumulations of small arms following internal conflicts, cooperate and increase global resources for action on anti-personnel landmines and, with other partners, establish a Demining Technology Information Forum.
Summit participants also welcomed the announcement that six new projects promoting academic exchanges and collaborative activities had been approved under the Canada-European Union Program for Cooperation in Higher Education and Training.
Also attending the Summit were Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Austrian Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Affairs Minister Wolfgang Schüssel. Participants discussed a range of issues, including prospects for the global economy, European integration and the introduction of the Euro, preparations for the Y2K computer problem and cooperation in the cultural and the health sectors.
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BACKGROUNDER
CANADA-EU AGREEMENT ON SANITARY MEASURES TO PROTECT PUBLIC AND ANIMAL HEALTH IN RESPECT OF TRADE IN LIVE ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS
This framework trade agreement covers the two-way trade in animals, animal products, fish and fish products between Canada and the EU. It provides for the future mutual recognition of sanitary measures, while maintaining high levels of protection of human and animal health.
The agreement will benefit both Canada and the EU by improving communications on significant animal or human health matters, and by providing a process for the timely resolution of bilateral trade irritants.
The agreement will facilitate two-way trade involving some $550 million in exports from Canada to the EU and $250 million in imports from the EU to Canada. It is supported by Canadian industry organizations and the provinces, and it supports the overall objectives of the World Trade Organization agreement on the application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.
CANADA-EU AGREEMENT FOR SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COOPERATION
This amendment broadens the scope of the 1995 Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation to cover all sectors, including new areas such as biotechnology and marine sciences, as well as technologies that were previously excluded.
The original 1995 agreement allowed Canadian and European research reciprocal access to each others' public science and technology programs in the following sectors: agriculture, medical and health research, non-nuclear energy, environment, forestry, information technologies, communication technologies, telematics and mineral processing. Over 60 joint projects have been launched under the 1995 agreement.
AGREEMENT FOR COOPERATION IN THE AREA OF NUCLEAR RESEARCH
This agreement provides Canadian and European researchers and firms engaged in nuclear research reciprocal access to each others‘ nuclear projects. It also provides Canadian researchers and firms access to programs managed by EURATOM, the body which has jurisdiction over research in the nuclear sector in Europe, for decommissioning nuclear reactors in Eastern Europe.
This agreement replaces the 1959 agreement on cooperation in the nuclear sector between Canada and EURATOM, the purpose of which was to ensure non-proliferation of nuclear materials or related technology for military purposes. The new agreement completes the range of cooperation between Canada and the EU in all aspects of science and technology.
