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PRIME MINISTER WELCOMES TWO JOINT STATEMENTS WITH
THE EUROPEAN UNION
June 26, 2000
Lisbon, Portugal
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that Canada and the European
Union (EU) have agreed on two statements on peace-building activities and
international trade.
"Our discussions have led to agreement on how we could cooperate in
advancing important global issues," said Prime Minister Chrétien.
"Canada and the EU will work together to develop plans to promote common
actions which contribute to human security and to the prevention of armed
conflict. We have also agreed to support World Trade Organization efforts to
further trade liberalization and improve international rules to foster economic
growth, strengthen the world economy and help us meet the challenges of
globalization."
Canada-EU Joint Statement on Peace Building and
Conflict Prevention commits Canada and the EU to
meet at the experts level within six months in order to examine possibilities
for concrete co-operation on peace-building and conflict prevention, as well as
on other relevant issues in areas such as small arms and light weapons, civil
wars motivated by greed and corporate social responsibility.
In the Canada-EU Joint Statement on the World Trade
Organization Canada and the EU undertake to support the launch of a new
trade Round that would reflect the balanced interests of all WTO members, aim to
further liberalize international trade, facilitate the integration of developing
countries into the global economy and take into account sustainable development,
consumer health and cultural diversity. The statement supports the pursuit of
international discussions on trade, globalization and social development between
all interested parties.
This announcement followed the Canada-EU Summit held today
in Lisbon, Portugal, between the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of
Portugal, António Guterres, representing the Presidency of the European
Council, and the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi.
Canada-EU Summits are held twice yearly, in addition to regularly scheduled
meetings at the ministerial and senior official levels, and provide an
opportunity for leaders to discuss global issues and identify opportunities for
strengthening Canada-EU cooperation. In addition to conflict prevention and WTO
themes, Canada and the EU discussed a wide range of other subjects including
market access issues, the results of the 19-20 June EU Summit at Feira, the
possibility of closer Canada-EU consultation with regard to the EU’s policy on
Security and Defence, as well as Justice and Home Affairs and recent
developments in other regions of the world.
Prime Minister Chrétien was accompanied to the Summit by Foreign Minister
Lloyd Axworthy and International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew.
Portugal’s presidency of the Council of the European
Union ends on June 30th, 2000. France assumes the presidency
effective July 1st, 2000.
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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
The full statements are posted on the following website:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/english/geo/europe/EU/MENU1_EN.HTM
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