NEWS RELEASES
CANADA AND BRAZIL SIGN NUCLEAR CO-OPERATION AGREEMENT
May 22, 1996 No. 94
CANADA AND BRAZIL SIGN NUCLEAR
CO-OPERATION AGREEMENT
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Brazilian Foreign Minister Luiz Felipe
Lampreia today signed the Canada-Brazil Nuclear Co-operation Agreement in
Brasilia. The Agreement is fully consistent with both countries' nuclear non-proliferation policies.
"I am pleased that it was possible for Canada and Brazil to reach such a wide-ranging agreement on bilateral nuclear co-operation," said Mr. Axworthy. "This
agreement will make it possible for Canadian companies to pursue commercial
opportunities in the nuclear sector in Brazil. The Agreement demonstrates the
strong commitment to nuclear non-proliferation shared by Canada and Brazil, and
represents a further strengthening of expanding relations between the two
countries."
The Canada-Brazil Nuclear Co-operation Agreement extends co-operation between the
two countries in the use, development and application of nuclear energy for
peaceful purposes, and may include any of the following: the supply of
information, including technology; the supply of nuclear material and equipment;
implementation of research projects; industrial co-operation; technical training;
rendering of technical assistance and services; and the exploration for and
development of uranium resources.
"I want to underline the role of nuclear energy in supplementing the production of
electricity, the production of radio-isotopes for medical purposes, agricultural
and industrial uses," said Mr. Lampreia.
"As a holder of these sensitive technologies, Brazil is also perfectly aware of
its responsibilities in terms of non-proliferation. It is with this sense of
responsibility that we entered the Nuclear Suppliers Group, became members of the
International Nuclear Energy Agency, and developed nuclear co-operation programs
with a group of partners to which Canada now belongs," he added.
Canada currently has nuclear co-operation agreements with more than 30 countries.
These agreements include provisions to ensure that Canadian nuclear exports are
only used for peaceful, non-explosive purposes.
Mr. Axworthy is in Brasilia during his May 20-24 visit to Haiti, Brazil, Argentina
and Guatemala.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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