NEWS RELEASES

March 17, 1999 (4:30 p.m. EST) No. 58

CANADA ENCOURAGES BETTER INTEGRATION OF ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES IN WORLD TRADE NEGOTIATIONS

International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi, Minister for International Co-operation and Minister responsible for La Francophonie Diane Marleau, and Environment Minister Christine Stewart today affirmed Canada's position in favour of a more integrated approach to trade, environment and development in the ongoing work of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other international organizations in the lead-up to the next international trade negotiations by the WTO.

Canada is participating in the first-ever High Level Symposiums on Trade and Environment, and on Trade and Development taking place from March 15 to 18 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Symposiums bring together NGOs, industry representatives, academics and senior government officials to discuss the interrelationship of trade, environment and development issues. The Symposiums provide Canada with a unique opportunity to further explore the role of environment and development issues in the formulation of trade policy.

"The federal government has already launched in-depth consultations with Canadians on Canada's position at the next set of WTO negotiations," said Minister Marchi. "The Symposiums in Geneva complement our domestic consultations and will help shape Canada's position in the upcoming WTO negotiations."

"Canada recognizes that developing countries have a large stake in a well-functioning international trading system," added Minister Marleau. "This system must work in ways that ensure the benefits of globalization are shared equitably among nations, developed and developing. The Symposiums will improve our collective understanding of how to ensure that larger economic opportunities provided through increased trade are environmentally sound and also contribute effectively toward poverty reduction."

"Environmental issues are increasingly global in scope and require creative solutions," said Minister Stewart. "We need to ensure that trade agreements respect the sovereign right of governments to set environmental policy, while supporting trade and development goals."

The Ministers noted that sustainable development is a key objective set out in the preamble of the WTO and called for greater transparency, both domestically and internationally, in moving forward on trade negotiations. To further this goal, Canada highlighted some issues at the Geneva conference which require further clarification and international action. These include eco-labelling, the relationship between WTO rules and multilateral environmental agreements, and environmental review of upcoming WTO negotiations.

Canada's statements and discussion papers presented at the Symposiums are available to media representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Along with other Symposium documents and proceedings, they are also available on the WTO's Web site: <http:\\www.wto.org>.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Leslie Swartman

Office of the Minister for International Trade

(613) 992-7332

Chantal Reinert

Office of the Minister for International Co-operation

and Minister responsible for La Francophonie

(819) 997-6919

Brigitte Nolet

Office of the Minister of the Environment

(819) 997-1441

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site:

http:\\www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca