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<html> <head> <meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8"> <title>CANADA ANNOUNCES ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE 13TH MEETING OF THE CANADA-MEXICO JOINT MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE</title> </head> <body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0"> February 18, 1999 (7:30 p.m. EST) No. 32 CANADA ANNOUNCES ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE 13TH MEETING OF THE CANADA-MEXICO JOINT MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE The Government of Canada today announced the results of the 13th meeting of the Canada-Mexico Joint Ministerial Committee, which took place in Ottawa February 17 to 18. The meeting brought together Canadian and Mexican ministers to further Canada-Mexico co-operation in a number of areas, such as social development, environment, Indigenous relations, culture, human security, trade and investment relations, telecommunications and information technology and transport. The Mexican delegation was composed of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Rosario Green; Secretary of Commerce and Industrial Development Herminio Blanco; Secretary of Communications and Transportation Carlos Ruiz; Secretary of the Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries Julia Carabias; Secretary of Health Juan Ramón de la Fuente; and President of the National Council for Culture and the Arts Rafael Tovar y de Teresa. The meeting involved the participation of the following Canadian ministers: Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy, International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi, Transport Minister David Collenette, Natural Resources Minister Ralph E. Goodale, Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, Industry Minister John Manley, Environment Minister Christine Stewart, Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister Jane Stewart, Human Resources Development Minister Pierre Pettigrew, Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) David Kilgour; and Secretary of State (Agriculture and Agri-Food, Fisheries and Oceans) Gilbert Normand. During the meeting, agreement was reached in the following areas: • A Declaration of Intent on satellite co-operation was signed by Industry Minister John Manley and Mexico's Secretary of Communications and Transport, Carlos Ruiz, to advance Canada-Mexico co-operation in satellite communication services. The declaration formalizes both countries' intention to conclude, later this year, a co-operation agreement for mobile and fixed satellite services, which will provide a framework to facilitate bilateral trade in satellite communication services. • A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on test data acceptance was signed by International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi (on behalf of Industry Minister John Manley) and by Mexico's Secretary of Commerce and Industrial Development, Herminio Blanco, to ensure that telecommunications and information technology products traded between both countries meet all necessary safety standards. The MOU enables laboratories accredited to test information technology and telecommunication products in one country to exchange product safety test data with laboratories in the other country. • The Ocean Charter, for which Canada is the sponsoring nation, was signed by Mexico's Secretary of the Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries, Julia Carabias, as an acknowledgement of the importance of oceans and a commitment to protect oceans and use their resources in a sustainable manner. The Ocean Charter was drawn up in 1998 by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO to mark the International Year of the Ocean. Mexico became the 81st signatory country on the Charter. • A Declaration of Intent on joint co-operation projects on Indigenous affairs commits Canada's Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Mexico's National Institute for Indigenous Affairs to develop joint co-operation projects, exchanges and other initiatives. The agreement will help foster economic and cultural ties between Indigenous groups in both countries. • A Canada-Mexico Joint Statement on small arms and anti-personnel mines was signed by Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Rosario Green, highlighting the need to tackle problems associated with the proliferation of small arms and their joint support for the global elimination of anti-personnel landmines. It also formalizes their joint commitment to improve co-operation in preventing and combatting the accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons, to continue to work together toward the elimination of landmines, and to work with the Pan American Health Organization in mine victim assistance and community rehabilitation in Central America. • A line of credit of US$50 million was signed by Export Development Corporation and Mexico's state-owned oil company, Petroleos Mexicanos. The line of credit is designed to increase trade between Canada and Mexico in the oil and gas sector. It is structured to finance transactions in a range that accommodates contracts awarded to Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises. • A Canada-Mexico joint communiqué on the importance of cultural diversity was issued by Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps and Mexico's President of the National Council for Culture and the Arts, Rafael Tovar y de Teresa, confirming their joint commitment to collaborate on the promotion and preservation of cultural and linguistic diversity. This principle will be implemented in the context of Canada-Mexico bilateral relations and within international fora, such as the International Network on Cultural Policy. • A Joint Statement on Canada-Mexico agriculture relations was tabled by Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief and Mexico's Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development, Romárico Arroyo, outlining achievements to date, and establishing a plan for future initiatives in the agriculture sector. The statement is based on the results of a September 1998 meeting between Minister Vanclief and Secretary Arroyo and addresses issues ranging from bilateral trade co-operation to co-operation within international fora. • An expansion of air rights under the Canada-Mexico Air Transport Agreement was announced by Transport Minister David Collenette and Mexico's Secretary of Communications and Transportation, Carlos Ruiz, following their bilateral meeting. The expanded air rights feature improved access for airlines, charter carriers, travellers and shippers from both countries. • A Letter of Intent on climate change was signed by Environment Minister Christine Stewart and Mexico's Secretary of Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries, Julia Carabias, committing both countries to develop initiatives aimed at sharing information, techniques and solutions with respect to global climate change, to identify opportunities for co-operation to help developed countries achieve their emission reduction commitments (under the Kyoto Protocol), and to help developing countries meet their development goals in a sustainable manner. • A Letter of Intent on co-operation in watershed management was signed by Environment Minister Christine Stewart and Mexico's Secretary of Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries, Julia Carabias, committing both countries to collaborate on undertaking a workshop to identify priorities with respect to the adoption of an integrated approach for the ecological management of the Lake Chapala watershed, the main source of water for the city of Guadalajara, Mexico. In addition, it was agreed that an Aboriginal trade mission to Mexico will be undertaken in April by Canadian Indigenous leaders and business people to seize on new opportunities for co-operation. This promotion of economic co-operation features as an important component of joint efforts to broaden links between Canadian and Mexican Indigenous cultures. - 30 - For further information, media representatives may contact: Media Relations Office Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (613) 995-1874 This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca </body> </html>

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