CANADA AND NORWAY FORM NEW PARTNERSHIP ON HUMAN SECURITY
May 11, 1998 No. 117
CANADA AND NORWAY FORM NEW PARTNERSHIP
ON HUMAN SECURITY
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced in Bergen, Norway, the
establishment of a new partnership between Canada and Norway to take action on
human security issues. The announcement was made at the conclusion of meetings
between
Mr. Axworthy and his Norwegian counterpart, Mr. Knut Vollebæk.
Outlined in the Lysœn Declaration signed by the two Ministers, the partnership
commits Canada and Norway to a framework for consultation and concerted action in
the areas of enhancing human security, promoting human rights, strengthening
humanitarian law, preventing conflict, and fostering democracy and good
governance.
"As we saw in the development of the Landmines Treaty, "soft power" techniques,
such as ideas, negotiation and bridge building, have become effective new tools
of international diplomacy," said Mr. Axworthy. "Canada's partnership with Norway
throughout the process that led to the Treaty demonstrates that our shared values
and approaches to foreign policy can make a difference in the international
agenda. We want to build on that success and expand it to other areas."
Ministers Axworthy and Vollebæk will meet at least once a year to review
progress, set priorities and impart direction, and bilateral teams will develop
and implement joint activities. Partnerships between governments, international
and non-governmental organizations, and other elements of civil society will be
developed and enhanced throughout the process.
The two Ministers agreed to an agenda for action including: the landmines issue;
the establishment of an international criminal court; human rights; international
humanitarian law; women and children in armed conflict; small arms proliferation;
child soldiers; child labour; and northern and Arctic co-operation.
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The Lysœn Declaration and the Partnership Agenda are attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Backgrounder
NORWAY-CANADA PARTNERSHIP FOR ACTION
THE LYSŒN DECLARATION
Norway and Canada share common values and approaches to foreign policy. With the
evolution of international affairs, particularly with regard to emerging human
security issues, we have agreed to establish a framework for consultation and
concerted action.
Shared Objectives
To enhance foreign policy consultations and co-operation on priority issues of
international concern.
To strengthen Arctic and northern co-operation.
To co-ordinate and concert actions with a view to:
enhancing human security;
promoting human rights;
strengthening humanitarian law;
preventing conflict; and
fostering democracy and good governance.
To develop and enhance partnerships between governments, international
organizations, non-governmental organizations and other elements of civil
society.
Framework
To achieve these foreign policy objectives, we agree to establish a flexible
framework for consultation and co-operation, to include:
Ministerial meetings at least once a year to review progress, set priorities
and impart direction.
Bilateral teams to develop and implement joint ministerial initiatives.
Meetings to be held alternately in Norway and Canada or, where convenient, on
the margins of international meetings.
In pursuing these goals, we will seek the advice and involvement of civil society
and relevant international bodies.
Using the bilateral co-operation framework as a basis, we intend, where
practicable, to involve other countries as well.
Bergen, May 11, 1998
PARTNERSHIP AGENDA
1. Landmines
2. International Criminal Court
3. Human rights
4. International humanitarian law
5. Women and children in armed conflict
6. Small arms proliferation
7. Child soldiers
8. Child labour
9. Arctic and northern co-operation