NEWS RELEASES
November 17, 2004 (11:30 a.m. EST ) No. 131
MINISTER PETERSON ATTENDS THE CANADA-CHILE
FREE TRADE COMMISSION MEETING
International Trade Minister Jim Peterson and Chilean Foreign Affairs Minister
Ignacio Walker participated yesterday in the fifth meeting of the Canada-Chile Free
Trade Commission in Santiago, Chile, on the eve of the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation(APEC) Joint Ministerial Meeting. Minister Peterson welcomed the progress
that has been made to date in the implementation of the Canada-Chile Free Trade
Agreement (CCFTA).
“Commercial relations between our two countries have flourished under the
Agreement,” said Minister Peterson. “It is an outstanding example of how trade
liberalization benefits citizens and businesses in both countries.”
Minister Peterson and Minister Walker reiterated their commitment to implement the
CCFTA, and to review ongoing work. They took note of the progress in the negotiations
to add a government procurement chapter to the CCFTA, and adopted two declarations
that improve the transparency and efficiency of the investment chapter.
The declaration on non-disputing party submissions helps to clarify the process for
third-party submissions in investor-state arbitration. The declaration on open hearings
confirms Canada and Chile’s intention to request that all investor-state arbitral hearings
be open to the public.
The two ministers noted that the agreements on labour and environmental cooperation,
which were signed together with the CCFTA, have helped to enhance Canada-Chile
relations. These agreements have enabled the two countries to discuss labour and
environment issues in an atmosphere of mutual trust.
The meeting was also an opportunity for both Ministers to exchange views on other
forums. Specifically, the ministers:
• committed to working with other World Trade Organization (WTO) members
toward an ambitious outcome in the lead-up to the next WTO Ministerial
Conference in Hong Kong;
• reaffirmed their commitment to concluding a comprehensive and high-quality
Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) agreement; and
• discussed the important contribution that APEC is making to promoting trade and
investment in the Asia Pacific region.
Minister Peterson also took the opportunity to reiterate the importance of reopening
Chile’s market to Canadian beef exports. “Trade resumption should be based on
science,” he said.
Two-way goods trade between Canada and Chile reached $1.2 billion in 2003, an
increase of 68 percent over its level in 1997, when the Agreement came into force.
“Investment has also been a clear success of the CCFTA. Canada is now the third-largest investor in Chile, after the United States and Spain,” added Minister Peterson.
Following the Commission meeting, Minister Peterson and his Chilean counterpart
released a joint statement that can be found at
http://www.international.gc.ca/tna-nac/bilateral-en.asp#01b.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Jacqueline LaRocque
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
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