Brussels, 05/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - Meeting on Wednesday 5 May in Brussels at their annual bilateral summit, European and Canadian leaders undertook to defend free trade despite the economic crisis and to resist protectionism, with a view to the upcoming G20 summit. “We want to send the world the message that we are working against protectionism and for free trade”, the president of the European Commission, José Luis Barroso, told the press at the end of the day's business. “The fact that two key players such as Canada and the EU are involved in major bilateral talks on trade is an important sign”, the Canadian prime minister, Stephen Harper, added. Also taking part in the work were the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, High Representative Catherine Ashton, European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, and his Canadian counterpart, Peter Van Loan.
Economy. At bilateral level, European and Canadian leaders examined progress made in talks with a view to a comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA), launched in 2009 (EUROPE 9897). At multilateral level, they reaffirmed their opposition to protectionism and their commitment in favour of the Doha Round, and reaffirmed the importance of measures established within the G20 framework aimed at ensuring global economic recovery, strengthening regulation of the financial system and its surveillance, and establishing the foundations of sound, sustainable and balanced economic growth.
Climate. European and Canadian leaders decided to follow high ambitions with respect to climate challenges, agreeing that adaptation to climate change and mitigation are key global challenges that should be supported by suitable energy policies. Cooperation should be geared to funding mechanisms and to supporting clean development in third countries, a joint statement reads. It will be essential to integrate agreements reached in Copenhagen in the texts of the UN Framework Convention negotiation on climate change to make talks move forward during the UN conference scheduled for end 2010, it states.
International security. On the Iranian nuclear dossier, the parties supported the adoption of a new UN Security Council resolution on sanctions if Teheran refuses to give a satisfactory answer to cooperation with the international community. The parties also agreed to work together with a view to the conference on examining TNP.