Canada and Austria Sign Agreement Concerning Audio-Visual Co-Production
OTTAWA, June 29, 1999 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps announced today that Canada and Austria have signed an audio-visual co-production agreement. The official signing took place in Vienna, Austria, with Canadian Ambassador to Austria, Paul Dubois, representing Canada, and Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs, Joseph Steigler, representing Austria."The co-production agreement we signed today will help ensure that the stories of Austria and of Canada continue to be told and that our film industries continue to flourish," said Minister Copps. "Upon bonds of culture, cooperation and friendship, Canada is proud to help forge yet another tie between our two countries."
Canadian and Austrian film and television producers have expressed a mutual interest in such an agreement. 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 Austrian 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, one of the key objectives of Canada's foreign policy.
Presently, Canada has co-production agreements with more than 45 countries. These agreements have generated an average investment of more than $400 million over the past three years.
Information:
Catherine Gagnaire
Communications Assistant
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
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