Canada and Greece Sign Agreement Concerning Audiovisual Co-Production
ATHENS, December 15, 1997 -- Canada and Greece today signed an Audiovisual Co-production Agreement. The official signing took place in Athens, Greece, with Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps, representing Canada, and Minister of Culture Evangelos Venizelos, representing the Hellenic Republic."The co-production agreement we are signing today will help ensure that the stories of Greece and of Canada continue to be told, and that our film industries continue to flourish," stated Minister Copps. "Canada is proud to share with Greece a firm commitment to national expression, to cultural development and to close and continued friendship between our two countries."
Canadian and Greek film and television producers have expressed a mutual interest in such an agreement with Greece over the past two years. A number of Canadian companies have already begun exploring possible ventures and developing co-production projects.
Minister Copps noted that film and television co-production agreements, such as this one, are an important means of producing quality, culturally significant productions. She added that it will allow Canadian and Greek producers to pool their creative, artistic, technical and financial resources for their mutual benefit.
The Minister reiterated the importance of these agreements for increasing Canadian film and television exports and for projecting Canada's culture internationally, a key objective of Canada's foreign policy. They also allow Canada to access foreign markets, thereby ensuring our presence on the world stage.
Presently, Canada has co-production agreements with more than 35 countries. Minister Copps pointed out that co-production agreements have generated an average investment of more than $300 million annually during the past three years.
Information:
Anne-Sophie Lawless
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-9314
[ Media Room ]
