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<title>NEW BILATERAL AGREEMENTS STRENGTHEN CANADA-BRAZIL PARTNERSHIP</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Times New Roman" size="+1"><strong></strong></font><font face="Times New Roman" size="+4"><strong></strong></font><font face="Times New Roman" size="+3"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">January 15, 1998 No. 11</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">NEW BILATERAL AGREEMENTS STRENGTHEN </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADA-BRAZIL PARTNERSHIP</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Courier">International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi and Canada's First Ministers today
witnessed the signing of six bilateral agreements following a meeting with
Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"These agreements consolidate Canada and Brazil as two of the largest and
internationally most active countries in the hemisphere," said the Minister. "We
will continue to work closely to enhance the solid partnership we have built up
over the past few years, including the development of partnerships and strategic
alliances in new and innovative areas such as distance education."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Letter of Intent to negotiate a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection
Agreement underlines the importance that Canadian business people attach to
investing in Brazil. Canada is Brazil´s ninth largest investor. This Agreement
will support increased investment between the two countries.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Co-operation expands and updates
a 1977 MOU, and reflects the enhanced </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">co-operation and contacts that have taken place since that time. The MOU seeks to
expand bilateral trade, monitor and resolve market access issues, establish
contacts between organizations in both countries, involve the private sector in
activities, meetings and decisions arising from the MOU, implement technology
projects, and co-operate in research.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Joint Declaration on Education Co-operation will encourage institutional
linkages at all levels, educational exchanges, specialized training programs,
research and development, improved recognition of studies, transfer of credit
mechanisms, and establishment of scholarships. Canada and Brazil agree to promote
the advancement of learning through technology and distance learning, and to co-operate in the development of Canadian studies programs and in education projects
in Brazil.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Declaration of Intent on Co-operation in International Demining Activities
commits Canada and Brazil to work together to help third countries remove
landmines from their territories, and to assist victims of landmines, in
particular their reintegration into society. The declaration follows the Ottawa
Conference of December 1997 at which 123 countries signed the International
Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, Transfer of
Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, and where conference participants
agreed to work together to implement the key provisions of this Convention.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Joint Declaration for the Maintenance of International Peace and Security
highlights the growing cooperation between Canada and Brazil in this area. It
provides, in particular, for strengthened efforts in UN peacekeeping operations
and activities in the Organization of American States aimed at enhancing
confidence and security-building measures in the hemisphere.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Joint Declaration on Human Rights reflects the importance that both countries
attach to the protection and promotion of human rights. The declaration
highlights the ongoing co-operation between Canada and Brazil, especially in the
Organization of American States, in which Canada and Brazil co-chair an
initiative to promote democracy and human rights in the hemisphere. The
declaration also commits both countries to increased bilateral efforts in
judicial reform and police training, and increased co-operation with non-governmental organizations.</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">Director of Communications</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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