Regional and Bilateral Initiatives
Canada-Andean Countries - Free Trade Discussions
In August, 2002, the Minister of International Trade announced that Canada and the Andean countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela) had agreed to begin exploratory discussions towards a proposed free trade agreement (FTA). As a part of these discussions, the Minister for International Trade launched extensive domestic consultations with business, citizen-based organizations and individual Canadians, as well as with the provincial and territorial governments, to obtain advice and views on priorities, objectives and concerns to help define the possible scope of this initiative. (For more information, see the News Release and the Canada Gazette Notice of November 2, 2002). The majority of responses received to date have been supportive of eventual free trade negotiations with the Andean countries.
We would like to thank all those who have contributed to this process and wish to assure them that their views will be taken into account in the development of Canada's trade agenda., and in preparation for the Canada-Andean initiative in particular.
Update on Discussions
Officials from Canada and the Andean countries held initial exploratory discussions
on August 27, 2002. The most recent round of exploratory talks was
held in Ottawa on May 13-14, 2003. Officials from both sides agreed
to continue to exchange information and to hold a further exploratory
session in the upcoming future.
A free trade agreement with the Andean countries would improve our trade and political ties with these economies, and further advance Canada's foreign policy objectives in the region. In particular, a FTA would strengthen peace and democracy, promote macro-economic stability and growth, as well as poverty alleviation, and contribute to the shared goal of deepening development through economic integration within the Western Hemisphere. Such a FTA would also provide added impetus for the Free Trade Area of the Americas.
Contact Point
If you have questions or comments about this initiative we would
like to hear from you. Please contact Foreign Affairs & International
Trade Canada at:
Regional Trade Policy Division (TBB)
Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 promenade Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0G2
Fax: 613-944-3489
E-mail : consultations@international.gc.ca
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