NEWS RELEASES

September 8, 2000 (4:30 p.m. EDT) No. 218

CANADA SIGNS ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY AGREEMENTS WITH ARGENTINA

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy, Industry Minister John Manley, Environment Minister David Anderson, and the Minister of Foreign Relations, International Trade and Worship of Argentina, Adalberto Rodriguez Giavarini, today attended the signing of two agreements between Canada and Argentina. The ceremony took place in Ottawa during the official working visit of Argentinian President Fernando de la Rua to Canada on September 8 and 9.

"Canada and Argentina have significantly enhanced their bilateral co-operation over the past decade," said Minister Axworthy." Our countries co-operate closely on global issues such as the promotion of democracy, peacekeeping and the eradication of landmines. Today's agreements will contribute to a cleaner global environment and help to reduce the amount of waste produced by nuclear power plants."

"Argentina has provided a valuable market for Canada's pursuit of free trade within the Americas," said Minister Manley. "I am pleased that a number of Canadian environmental firms have formed partnerships and won contracts as a direct result of their participation in Canada's activities in Argentina."

Minister Anderson noted that the environmental Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Argentina will have particular benefits for clean air and climate change. "This agreement lets our two countries expand and deepen our commitment to important environmental issues that contribute to a cleaner environment," he said.

The following agreements were signed today:

Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Co-operation: The MOU promotes co-operation between Canada and Argentina on key environmental issues such as environmental protection, conservation, sustainable development and the transfer of clean technologies.

Joint Study Program Agreement: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A. (NASA) have proposed to undertake a joint feasibility study on using slightly enriched uranium (SEU) in the CANDU reactor at Embalse, in Argentina. The conversion of a nuclear reactor from natural uranium to SEU can result in fuel savings of over 25 percent.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

Velma McColl

Director of Communications

Office of the Minister of the Environment

(819) 953-2101

This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca