Prime Minister Welcomes New Initiatives with the EU

"These new commitments provide further impetus to the work we undertook jointly with the EU three years ago when we signed the Canada-European Union Action Plan," said the Prime Minister. "Not only are we laying the foundations for an efficient virtual transatlantic highway, but we are also joining forces to help create a safer and healthier world."

The announcement followed the Canada-EU Summit held today in Ottawa between the Prime Minister, the President of Finland and current President of the European Council, Martti Ahtisaari, the Prime Minister of Finland, Paavo Lipponen, and the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi.

Three joint statements commit Canada and the EU to facilitate electronic commerce, to support international efforts to combat the proliferation of small arms and to enhance northern cooperation:

• The Canada-European Union Joint Statement on Electronic Commerce in the Global Information Society aims to enhance productivity, create employment, foster new markets and offer greater choice to consumers.

• A Canada-EU joint statement establishes a Working Group on Small Arms to follow up on last September's joint Canada-EU commitment to develop a common approach to combat the uncontrolled spread and destabilizing accumulation of small arms and light weapons.

• The Joint Statement on Northern Cooperation provides a framework to promote sustainable development, and environmental and human security amongst the countries and people of the circumpolar and adjacent northern regions.

Canada-EU summits are held twice yearly, in addition to regularly scheduled meetings at the ministerial and senior official levels.

Finland's presidency of the Council of the European Union ends on December 31, 1999. Portugal will take over the presidency on January 1, 2000.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

Canada and the EU share a common approach to the development of the global information society and hold similar points of view on key questions surrounding the future growth of electronic commerce. This joint statement is an expression of this shared vision. The commitment to a bilateral and multilateral action agenda will help promote electronic trade between Canada and Europe, and develop a global environment for electronic commerce. Cooperation over the next year will focus on building trust in the digital marketplace. Canada and the EU agree on the value of national legislative frameworks for the protection of privacy and personal information.

Canada and the EU will build on their longstanding collaboration on telecommunications issues to develop a harmonized international framework for electronic commerce through organizations such as the World Trade Organization, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the World Intellectual Property Organization. They are committed to working with the private sector and civil society to maximize the social and economic benefits of the global information society for all.

The full statement is posted on the following websites:
http://e-com.ic.gc.ca/english/index.html
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/english/geo/europe/EU/MENU1_EN.HTM

Canada and the EU share the view that a serious challenge to the international community is raised by the combination of internal conflicts and the spread of small arms. They intend to improve their cooperation in assisting third countries, in particular in past-conflict situations.

A Working Group on Small Arms has been established by Canada and the EU to coordinate the EU-Canada Common Approach to Combat the Spread and Destabilising Accumulations of Small Arms and Light Weapons, which was issued on September 2, 1999, in preparation for a UN conference being held in 2001. The conference will address all aspects of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. The Working Group will convene at least once during each EU presidency. Canada and the EU will focus their efforts on Africa, which they both consider as the region in most immediate need of assistance and support.

The full statement is posted on the following website:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/english/geo/europe/EU/MENU1_EN.HTM

This statement by Canada and the European Union on Northern Cooperation provides an opportunity to expand cooperation between all the countries of the circumpolar and adjacent northern regions. The Statement is consistent with and flows from the principal European policy framework on northern issues and that being developed by the Government of Canada. Canada and the EU have identified common goals and agreed on the usefulness of exchanging information and enhancing synergies as the basis for future northern cooperation.

Specific cooperation themes to be given high priority include: sustainable development, including the sustainable management of natural resources and bio-diversity; exchange of information and experience on environmental issues, such as climate change and chemical pollutants; transfer of eco-efficient technology in the Arctic region; promoting education and employment opportunities for children and youth; advancing research, information technology and telecommunications in the region. These initiatives will be pursued in collaboration with indigenous peoples of the region.

The full statement is posted on the following website: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/english/geo/europe/EU/MENU1_EN.HTM