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<title>CANADA OUTLINES KEY OBJECTIVES FOR FOURTH WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE</title>
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<p><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>October 24, 2001 <em>(3:30 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 144</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>CANADA OUTLINES KEY OBJECTIVES FOR FOURTH WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew today outlined Canada's objectives for the fourth World Trade
Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference and the launch of a new round of trade negotiations at the WTO.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">In a statement before the House of Common's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade,
Mr. Pettigrew said that Canada supports negotiations that would open up markets for Canadian business,
update the multilateral trading system to reflect today's economic realities, and help the developing world to
better reap the benefits of liberalized trade.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Some 142 of the world's trade ministers will gather in Doha, Qatar from November 9 to 13 to discuss the
agenda for the possible launch of a general round of negotiations at the WTO.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Trade ministers have an important role to play in reaffirming confidence in global institutions," said Minister
Pettigrew. "Trade is not just about economics. It underpins much of the progress on the world's political and
social goals. I will urge my fellow ministers to launch a new round of negotiations at our next ministerial
meeting."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"The launch of expanded negotiations by WTO ministers will build momentum for the agriculture talks already
underway in Geneva and help ensure that they achieve significant results," said Agriculture and Agri-Food
Minister Lyle Vanclief. "Canada's goal for the agriculture talks is to achieve a more level international playing
field for our agriculture and agri-food industry."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Like Canada, poor countries want stability and prosperity for their people," said International Cooperation
Minister Maria Minna. "The best way to reduce poverty is through the economic growth provided by trade. This
is why Canada works to help these countries build their capacity to negotiate, exercise and implement the rights
and obligations of membership in the WTO."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canada's overall objectives for a new round of negotiations are to: </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">• improve the lives of Canadians by increasing economic growth and productivity;</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">• create opportunities for Canadian agri-food, industrial, and service exporters and investors by achieving
greater access to foreign markets and ensuring fairer conditions for their activities;</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">• provide Canadian consumers with better choices and better prices in goods and services;</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">• reflect changes in the global economy by updating WTO rules;</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">• encourage members to work toward a more transparent and open WTO;</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">• contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction in developing countries; and</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">• address public concerns about the social and environmental implications of trade.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">A detailed backgrounder on Canada's objectives on specific policy areas at the WTO is available on the
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) Web site at: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221041852/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/WTO-Background-e.asp">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/WTO-Background-e.asp</a>.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The objectives reflect ongoing consultations with Canadian citizens. A summary of the consultations and
instructions on how to send comments to the government are on the Consultations with Canadians section of
the DFAIT Web site at: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221041852/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/consult-e.asp">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/consult-e.asp</a>.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canada's initial negotiating position for agriculture is available on the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Web
site at: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221041852/http://www.agr.ca/cb/news/1999/n90819ae.html">http://www.agr.ca/cb/news/1999/n90819ae.html</a>.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">-30-</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
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<p><font face="Arial">Sébastien Théberge</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 992-7332</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">Donald Boulanger</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Press Secretary</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 759-1761</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Jennifer Wesanko</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Cooperation</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(819) 953-3160</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(819) 953-6534</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">E-mail: media@acdi-cida.gc.ca</font></p>
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