NEWS RELEASES
'QUAD' TRADE MINISTERS TO MEET IN TORONTO
April 21, 1997 No. 74
"QUAD" TRADE MINISTERS TO MEET IN TORONTO
The Honourable Art Eggleton, Minister for International Trade, announced today
that ministers responsible for international trade from the United States, Japan
and the European Union will meet in Toronto from April 30 to May 2, 1997, to
discuss key world trade issues.
The ministers attending the Quadrilateral Trade Ministers' Meeting, known as the
"Quad," will consider such matters as the current agenda for trade negotiations
under the World Trade Organization (WTO), regional trade initiatives, and
integrating the least developed countries into the global trading system. Joining
Mr. Eggleton, who will chair the meeting, will be U.S. Trade Representative
Charlene Barshefsky, Japan's Minister for International Trade and Industry Shinji
Sato, and Sir Leon Brittan, Vice-President of the European Commission and
Commissioner Responsible for Commercial Policy.
"We must keep the momentum going on liberalizing trade and investment," said Mr.
Eggleton. "As major trading nations, we must give leadership, as well, on new and
emerging trade issues. More open and competitive markets encourage trade,
stimulating economic growth and job creation."
The Quad was created in 1982 as an informal forum for discussing trade issues.
The Toronto Quad meeting will be held at the King Edward Hotel. There will be
media facilities in the hotel. A backgrounder and details on media accreditation
and facilities are attached.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Nicole Bourget
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
BACKGROUNDER
The Quad
The Quadrilateral Trade Ministers' Meeting, an informal forum created in 1982 to
explore major trade and investment issues, is an important consultative mechanism.
The Quad trade ministers from Canada, Japan, the European Union, and the United
States meet twice a year.
One purpose of the Quad is to see how key trade and investment matters can be
moved forward. It was instrumental in achieving significant progress leading to
the successful conclusion of the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations.
Toronto: Issues
Among the items the Quad ministers are likely to discuss are:
The current World Trade Organization (WTO) agenda following decisions taken at
the first WTO ministerial meeting in Singapore in December 1996. This includes
further trade liberalization in financial services. Negotiations on a new
financial services agreement began the week of April 7.
Progress on new issues such as competition policy and investment. The Singapore
ministerial conference agreed to establish working groups to examine links between
trade and investment and trade and competition policy.
The relationship between regional trade initiatives, such as the North American
Free Trade Agreement, the Free Trade Area of the Americas and the Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), and the multilateral trading system.
Integrating the least-developed countries into the global trading system. Canada
has proposed a conference later this year to consider how to help these countries
take advantage of trade opportunities. The conference would involve the WTO, the
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the International Trade
Centre.
QUADRILATERAL TRADE MINISTERS' MEETING
KING EDWARD HOTEL
TORONTO, ONTARIO
APRIL 30-MAY 2, 1997
Application for Media Accreditation
All media representatives wishing to cover the Quad will require a pass in order
to gain access to the media facilities, which will be provided by the Department
of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Accreditation is open to all bona fide news gathering agencies. Freelance media
representatives must be sponsored by a recognized news agency and attach a letter
of assignment. The attached application form should be completed and sent to the
address noted below by Friday, April 25. Passes will be available as of 9:00 a.m.
on April 30 in the Media Centre, located in Boardrooms A and B, Mezzanine level,
of the King Edward Hotel. The Media Centre will be equipped with telephones/fax
facilities (personal charges for long distance usage) and computer power sources.
Media Activities
The meetings commence on Thursday, May 1, and will conclude around noon on May 2.
Current plans, which are subject to adjustment, call for a photo opportunity at
9:00 a.m. on May 1. A media debriefing will be held on May 1 at 5:30 p.m. A press
conference will be given by ministers representing the European Commission, the
United States, Japan and Canada on Friday, May 2, at noon. This will conclude the
official program.
Accommodation
A range of possibilities are available in downtown Toronto including:
Hotel Telephone Fax
Royal York (416) 368-2511 (416) 368-2884
Sheraton Centre (416) 361-1000 (416) 947-4874
Crown Plaza (416) 597-1400 (416) 597-8128
Hotel reservations and all charges including telephone/fax charges are the
responsibility of media representatives.
Requests for additional information and submission of accreditation applications
should be directed to:
Charles Larabie
Deputy Director
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2
Telephone: (613) 995-1874
Fax: (613) 995-1405
QUADRILATERAL TRADE MINISTERS' MEETING
KING EDWARD HOTEL
TORONTO, ONTARIO
APRIL 30-MAY 2, 1997
APPLICATION FOR MEDIA ACCREDITATION
FAMILY NAME______________________________________________________
FIRST NAME_______________________________________________________
AGENCY___________________________________________________________
TELEPHONE__________________________FAX___________________________
CATEGORY:
( ) JOURNALIST
( ) PHOTOGRAPHER
( ) CAMERAMAN
( ) TECHNICIAN
( ) OTHER (SPECIFY)_____________________________________________
FOR NON-RESIDENTS OF CANADA:
DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH__________________________________________
PASSPORT NO._____________________________________________________
COUNTRY OF ISSUE_________________________________________________
SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT___________________________________________
_____________________________
APPROVAL OF EDITOR OR MANAGER
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