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<title>U.S.-CANADA-MEXICO TRILATERAL MEETING</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">September 21, 1999 <em>(9:15 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 209</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">U.S.-CANADA-MEXICO TRILATERAL MEETING</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, Foreign Secretary Rosario Green of
Mexico, and Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy of Canada met in New York on
September 21 to review trilateral issues, promote closer co-operation among, and
discuss issues of common concern to the three countries of North America. This is
the second such meeting of the Ministers.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Ministers issued a framework statement setting forth a vision of the emerging
North American partnership, noting that the three governments "will support and
promote new and existing co-operative efforts" and that they are "committed to
working together to address trilateral, regional, and global issues where we share
goals, interests, and agendas." </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The three Ministers announced new measures to advance this special relationship,
including the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding on development
assistance co-operation, which was also signed on behalf of Maria Minna, Canadian
Minister for International Co-operation. Under this Memorandum, the governments
will identify areas for co-ordination of activities and information sharing. They have
agreed to consider co-operation in the water sector in Central America, especially in
the light of reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Mitch.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The ongoing trilateral discussions have also led to important and concrete advances
on a host of trilateral issues. The Ministers also reviewed the close co-operation that
has taken place over the last year among our Y2K experts to address potential
problems and are satisfied with the progress made. They also discussed ways of
engaging women's groups in the emerging trilateral relationship, the need for
enhancing environmental co-operation, North American transport corridors and
expanding existing cultural and education exchange programs. In addition, they
agreed to collaborate on a conference of North American young professionals in
Montreal in the spring of 2000.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Ministers also discussed a range of current world affairs and ways in which
common agendas, interests and objectives could be pursued trilaterally or
multilaterally. They agreed to consult frequently in the UN, OAS and other regional
and international fora. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Secretary Albright, Secretary Green, and Minister Axworthy have recognized that
"our societies and cultures are coming together as never before." The permanent
high-level dialogue among the three Ministers will continue to deepen and widen the
engagement that exists among our three nations. </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">A backgrounder is attached.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>Backgrounder</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>NORTH AMERICAN YOUTH CONFERENCE - MONTREAL </strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>SPRING 2000</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">As part of the trilateral dialogue started in 1998, Minister Axworthy, Foreign
Secretary Rosario Green, and Secretary of State Albright all expressed the need to
encourage, support and promote dialogue at all levels, particularly among our
respective publics. In this spirit, Mexico and the United States have agreed to
support a Canadian initiative for a North American Youth Conference to take place
in the spring of 2000 in Montreal.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The Conference will bring together up to 20 young people (ages 25 to 30) from
each country from a variety of backgrounds (business, arts, education, NGOs, etc.)
for a two-day conference to discuss emerging North American issues. Invitations to
address the group will also be extended to several public figures who could offer
unique, North American perspectives on some of the issues under discussion. The
objective is to help stimulate the development of a continent-wide network of
individuals who can help to show leadership in advancing the cause of greater
North American co-operation. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">While a conference agenda has not yet been finalized, broad themes that could
emerge include: building bridges between North American civil societies; affirming
cultural distinctiveness; improving common environmental stewardship; and North
America in the information age. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Preliminary discussions about conference elements have already been held among
officials of the three governments. All three partners have agreed to share
conference costs. Private sector support will be sought as well. </font></p>
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