Jean Chrétien at a Dinner Hosted by President Cardoso

Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen. It is a great honour to be with you this evening. It has been fourteen years since a Canadian prime minister has made an official visit to Brazil. That is too long for good friends.

Canadians have been watching Brazil with great interest in recent years. We have seen you make great progress in the last six years towards the entrenchment of a full democracy, and, in the last six months, towards a strong economic recovery. I will not call it a return to the "economic miracle" of years past. Because you and I know, Mr. President, that countries waiting for miracles could wait a long time. Real change is the result of hard work, commitment and perseverance. This is what we see in Brazil today.

There is much talk these days about hemispheric partnerships and integration. The Summit of the Americas in Miami last month helped to focus our efforts on the future. Canada will continue to be at the forefront of those efforts. Because we believe that a new community of the Americas means better lives for all our people.

We can build on what we have already accomplished through our joint efforts.

The Organization of American States is an anchor for political, economic and social cooperation in the region. Like all institutions, it must adapt to new demands. But the OAS has already proven its effectiveness in addressing difficult challenges, such as restoring democracy in Haiti.

Other important developments at the OAS include the creation of a unit for the promotion of democracy. There have been new initiatives to look at issues such as public ethics, the environment, NGO participation, and increased cooperation on trade policy. And a great deal of work has also been done on security-building measures.

We are making impressive progress in the way that we trade and support each other's economic development.

The North American Free Trade Agreement has been in effect for just over one year, and already we are shortly expecting a new partner -- a fourth amigo. MERCOSUL has become a full customs union between Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. All the leaders of the Americas agreed last month to work together to create a free trade area throughout the hemisphere by the year 2005.

Now that is a truly remarkable achievement.

For Canada, partnership with South America means partnership with Brazil. We are two pivotal points in the hemisphere. We are not only two of the largest countries in the hemisphere, but two of the largest in the world. We have much more in common than we may have recognized in the past.

Common interests have led us to work together many times in international organizations on issues such as disarmament, human rights, reform of the United Nations, the role of women, peacekeeping and the environment.

I am committed to expand and strengthen this partnership. There is much more that we can do together.

To meet the challenges that lie ahead, we know that we cannot stand still. But we also know that we cannot stand alone.

Our respective trade partnerships in NAFTA and MERCOSUL, the Rio Group and the G-7, can serve to open markets and build prosperity. The Rio and MERCOSUL countries are important to Canada. Our common principles of democracy, security, social justice, and sustainable development are strong foundations upon which we can build to meet future challenges in the region.

For example, the government of Canada looks forward to the day, in the near future, when Cuba can be welcomed back into the community of nations in this hemisphere. We also look forward to continued support for a new, stable and democratic regime in Haiti following the restoration of President Aristide last October.

I am thrilled to be able to visit Brazil for the first time. I see so much potential here, and under your leadership, Mr. President, so much optimism for a brighter future. Canada is determined to work harder to transform what has been a good friendship into a dynamic partnership.

I will tell Canadian business people that this is an exciting time in Brazil, that there are new opportunities for trade and investment on the horizon, and that Canada will be an important partner in Brazil's economic renewal.

Of course, Canada has been involved in Brazil's economic growth for nearly a hundred years. Canadians brought electricity and the tram trains to Rio almost a century ago.

You are now Canada's largest trading partner in South America -- bigger than Argentina and Chile combined. You are also one of Canada's largest investment partners in the world.

I can guarantee that our bilateral trade figures will have already grown by the end of this visit. Over 100 Canadian business leaders are with me in Brazil, seizing the tremendous opportunities which this country has to offer. Canada's Trade Minister and I will also be meeting with your leaders of industry in Rio de Janeiro tomorrow.

The new era of Canada-Brazil relations begins today. This morning our governments signed agreements and treaties on film co-production, mutual legal assistance, and extradition. We will establish a joint economic and trade council. We have agreed to promote a much closer dialogue through annual political consultations. And we will be holding talks on a wide range of security interests later this year.

We have a shared commitment to promote sustainable development. Canada's development cooperation program with Brazil is oriented specifically to the environment. We will soon launch two new projects to strengthen partnerships in the field of environmental technology. And we have already begun this year with a visit to Brazil by the Canadian Environment Minister.

Later this year there will be more visits by Canadian officials to Brazil. We also look forward to welcoming you, Mr. President, and members of your cabinet to Canada at a future date.

Rewarding friendships must be cultivated or they become stale and distant. This is no less true of countries. Brazil and Canada are at almost opposite ends of the world. That's a long way for friends, and we may have to work a little harder, but the rewards will be worth it. Your generosity in welcoming me here today is only one of these rewards.

From the meetings I have had with you today, Mr. President, I have had the opportunity to understand your vision for Brazil. I have seen for myself the reason why so many Brazilians have placed their faith in you and your government to guide them into the 21st century.

And I know that, when that great new century arrives with all its promise and potential, no one, no country, will hold a celebration to match that of Brazil. As good friends, we hope that it will be a neighbourhood party, and that Canada will be invited as a good neighbour and a dedicated partner.

Mr. President, honoured guests, please join me in a toast to the friendship of Brazil and Canada, and our future together.