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<title>BILATERAL AGREEMENTS STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIPBETWEEN CANADA AND MEXICO</title>
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<p><font face="Times New Roman" size="+1"><strong></strong></font><font face="Times New Roman" size="+4"><strong>Release</strong></font><font face="Times New Roman" size="+3"></font></p>
<p><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">January 12, 1998 No. 4</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">BILATERAL AGREEMENTS STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">BETWEEN CANADA AND MEXICO</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi today signed six bilateral agreements
on behalf of the Government of Canada. The signing ceremony took place following
a meeting in Mexico City with Governor General Roméo LeBlanc, Mexican President
Ernesto Zedillo and Canada's First Ministers. Mexico is the first stop in the
five-city Team Canada trade mission.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"These agreements highlight the expanding and mature relationship that Canada and
Mexico have developed since the signing of the North American Free Trade
Agreement [NAFTA] in 1994," said Minister Marchi. "Today's announcements clearly
show that our two countries are strongly committed to expanding the bilateral
relationship in an increasing number of important areas."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">In the <em>Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation in Combatting Narcotics
Trafficking and Preventing Drug Abuse</em>, the governments of Canada and Mexico will
exchange information in a variety of areas, including the suspected illegal
traffic of narcotics, legislative experiences and practices, and will address the
issue of drug dependency. This MOU follows a similar undertaking that was in
place from 1990 to 1995, and demonstrates the continued commitment of both
governments to work together in this area.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">A <em>Memorandum of Understanding on Development Co-operation between the Canadian
International Development Agency and Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores de
México</em> will support and facilitate mutual development co-operation. This may
include institutional co-operation in areas that foster long-term linkages and
relationships between Canada and Mexico and the development of joint co-operative
activities in other countries.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canada and Mexico have benefited from a unique relationship of co-operation
in the field of telecommunications since the original signing of the <em>Memorandum
of Understanding in the Field of Telecommunications</em> between Industry Canada and
Mexico's Secretariat of Telecommunications and Transportation in 1992. In the
intervening years, the two countries have experienced rapid growth in their
industries by sharing innovative technologies and by collaborating in the
development of telecommunications policy and regulations. The MOU reiterates a
commitment to continue co-operation in this dynamic and increasingly important
area.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The <em>Memorandum of Understanding on Health</em> is the first formal agreement between
Health Canada and Mexico's Ministry of Health. This MOU formalizes the increasing
and excellent co-operation between the two ministries over the past five years.
It covers a wide range of areas, including health technology, public health and
health promotion. It is meant to facilitate the exchange of information and
expertise between the two ministries and other health organizations in Canada and
Mexico.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The<em> Memorandum of Understanding on Education Co-operation</em> aims to expand
bilateral co-operation in education, encourage the needed skills for the new
knowledge-based society of the 21st century, and foster greater learning and
understanding between Canada and Mexico. It encourages increased linkages between
academic institutions in both countries, and the identification of opportunities
and the exchange of information in the areas of faculty and student exchanges,
specialized training programs, and research and development.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The <em>Model Forest Co-operation Program</em>, between Canada's International Development
Research Centre (IDRC) and Mexico's Secretariat of Environment, Natural Resources
and Fisheries, will support and strengthen the Model Forest Program in Mexico,
including the addition of the Monarch forest, which is integral to the survival
of the Monarch butterfly. This will advance the sustainable development of
Mexican forests, including better forest management practices, increase and
diversify the economic benefits derived from forests, encourage strong social
participation in forest management, and promote greater environmental awareness
among the local population.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Leslie Swartman</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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