New Canada-Pakistan bilateral agreements mean stronger ties

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Team Canada witnessed today the signing of six new agreements between Canada and Pakistan that will improve air services and lead to greater co-operation in environment, trade, agriculture, justice and spectrum management of radio frequencies.

"These agreements build on our long-standing relationship and provide the basis for even greater co-operation between our two countries on several levels," said Prime Minister Chrétien. "With a 150 strong business delegation, Team Canada's visit shows that Canada is confident of the opportunities being created by economic reform in Pakistan and that we are committed to developing a full economic partnership to our mutual benefit."

The six agreements include:

• a declaration of intent to co-operate in environmental technology transfer and training;
• a joint undertaking on Canada-Pakistan business development;
• a revised air transport agreement;
• a declaration of intent with respect to a treaty on mutual assistance in criminal matters;
• a memorandum of understanding between the Government of New Brunswick and the Pakistan Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock on the Government of Pakistan dairy and meat project;
and
• a memorandum of understanding on co-operation in spectrum management.

These agreements were signed following a meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Prime Minister Chrétien and the Team Canada delegation.

More information on each of the agreements are in the attached backgrounder.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

Declaration of Intent to Co-operate in Environmental Technology Transfer and Training
Recognized internationally as one of the best environmental protection stategies, Pakistan's National Conservation Strategy was adopted in 1992. The strategy has four components: strengthening of institutions; reforming the legal and economic framework; a communications campaign for mass awareness; and projects in 14 priority areas. The declaration of intent confirms Canada's intention to support the implementation of the National Conservation Strategy of Pakistan.

Joint Undertaking on Canada-Pakistan Business Development
Canada and Pakistan undertake to foster closer business linkages among the Canada-Pakistan Business Council, the Canada-Pakistan Business Development Board, and corresponding business organizations in Pakistan; to seek to facilitate further development of commercial relations and investment between the Canadian and Pakistani private sectors by facilitating trade and investment missions in both directions; to organize a Business Development Forum in Canada in 1996 involving the private sector, other economic institutions, and the Governments of Pakistan and Canada.

Air Transport Agreement
With this agreement, Canada and Pakistan will be bringing into full force the 1987 Air Transport Agreement, as well as more recent amendments. Improved access to Toronto will allow Pakistan International Airlines to offer a more efficient, commercially attractive service for travellers. Canada, meanwhile, has gained improved opportunities for an air carrier to provide services to Pakistan.

Declaration of Intent with respect to a Treaty on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters
The Governments of Canada and Pakistan have agreed to negotiate a mutual legal assistance treaty. The treaty will enhance existing co-operation between the police in investigating crimes, especially drug trafficking, in the two countries. The Treaty provides for co-operation between police and prosecutors in Canada and Pakistan in the areas of prevention, investigation and prosecution of crime. Assistance will be provided in several areas, including acquiring evidence and obtaining statements; the provision of information, location of persons and objects; search and seizure; delivery of property; making available detained persons and others to give evidence or assist in investigations; and the service of documents. Canada has mutual legal assistance treaties with 15 other countries: the United States, Australia, the Bahamas, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Hong Kong, France, the Netherlands, Thailand, Spain, Korea, India, Switzerland, Italy and China.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of New Brunswick and the Pakistan Ministry Food, Agriculture and Livestock on the Government of Pakistan Dairy and Meat Project
New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna and Pakistan Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Nawab Muhammed Yousaf Talpur have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for co-operation on the Government of Pakistan's new dairy and meat project. The Government of Pakistan is seeking to modernize its dairy and meat production sectors and raise the quality of its livestock through a large-scale purchase of dairy cattle, semen, technology, equipment and training. Under this arrangement, the two parties will prepare an action plan within three months and develop a long-term bilateral agreement. This is a 10-year project. The first year should see the export of 4,500 heads of cattle. The New Brunswick Department of Agriculture will act as project manager and All Star Genetics Ltd. of Fredericton, New Brunswick, will co-ordinate the cattle and semen procurement.

Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation in Spectrum Management
The Department of Industry of Canada has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority to co-operate on the implementation of the new Pakistan radio frequency spectrum management development program. This bilateral agreement provides for the establishment of a radio frequency monitoring agency and the transfer of spectrum management technology to Pakistan. Canada's automated frequency spectrum management technology is recognized by the International Telecommunications Union and the World Bank as being one of the most advanced in the world. Developed by Industry Canada, the technology was transferred to the private sector for international marketing.