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<title>MARCHI WELCOMES QUAD MEETING CONCLUSIONS</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">April 30, 1998 No. 107</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">MARCHI WELCOMES QUAD MEETING CONCLUSIONS</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi today welcomed in Versailles, France,
the results of the Quadrilateral Trade Ministers' (Quad) Meeting on global trade
issues.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"This has been a real success in both tone and substance,"</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Marchi said of the meeting of representatives from Canada, the United States,
Japan, and the European Union. "It has reinforced Canada's own emphasis on
engaging the public in international trade and investment issues. Clearly,
Canadians are increasingly aware of our stake in the World Trade Organization
(WTO) and in regional trade agreements, and they want to continue to have active
input into the policy-making process."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">He noted that an important step is the Quad's call for greater openness in the
activities of the WTO.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">In addition, Mr. Marchi said he is pleased that the Quad:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> supported an active work program on trade and investment issues, laying the
groundwork for discussions at the WTO Ministerial meeting in 1999;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> endorsed the recent declaration of the Organization for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD) in support of negotiations toward a multilateral
agreement on investment and the need for further public consultations; and</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> agreed to call a high level meeting of trade and environment representatives
prior to the WTO Ministerial in 1999, and to work toward a successful
International Labour Organization (ILO) meeting in June on core labour
standards.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">He also noted that the Quad gave support to the upcoming Ottawa Ministerial
Conference on Global Electronic Commerce, and agreed </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">with Canada's call to work toward a "standstill" agreement to </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">continue the current practice of not imposing tariffs on electronic
transmissions.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Finally, Minister Marchi noted the convergence of work on trade and investment
liberalization and the key role that Canada plays in promoting an integrated
approach.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Throughout the last three or four days, at the OECD, at the North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Commission meeting, and at the Quad, it was clear that
regional and multilateral forums are complementary in permitting Canada to pursue
our trade interests and national values," Mr. Marchi said.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">In addition to Mr. Marchi, the Quad representatives at the Versailles meeting
included U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky, Japanese Minister of
Industry and Trade Mitsuo Horiuchi, and Vice-President of the European Commission
Sir Leon Brittan. As Chair of the meeting, Sir Leon Brittan issued the final
statement of the Quad.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The statement is available upon request.</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's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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