Brussels/Ottawa, 19/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Union and Canada, which this year celebrated the 25th anniversary of relations that have "deepened and enlarged" over the years, adopted a relatively substantial declaration during the summit held in Ottawa on Tuesday. The text adopted after the meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Commission President Romano Prodi, President of the European Council Guy Verhofstadt, and High Representative for CFSP Javier Solana, opens the road to strengthened anti-terrorist cooperation, especially in the judicial area. It underlines the same determination to work towards rekindling peace talks in the Middle East. Although no common intervention is envisaged in this conflict, the antagonists are "strongly encouraged to closely consider the consequences of their actions". An initiative, however, is announced for the summit of the G8, whose next session, in June 2002 in Canada, will be focused on the situation in Africa and the support of the richest countries for the NEPAD (New Partnership for the Development of Africa). The main points highlighted in the declaration are:
1. Terrorism: The Union and Canada will together seek to strengthen international coalition against terrorism and will maintain their close coordination for the prevention of conflicts and the consolidation of peace (a process in which the United States play a fundamental role that "we shall support"), while helping third countries to avail themselves of the ability needed to fight against terrorism and by endeavouring to bring negotiations to a conclusion on the global Convention against international terrorism. In their view, "the integration of all the countries in a just world system, that is guarantor of security, prosperity and development, is essential to the formation of a strong and lasting community" and even to be rid of the scourge of terrorism. On the financial front, they agree to continue to act in close consultation with the international fora in order to promote the setting in place of international norms and measures in this field.
2. Afghanistan: The partners unreservedly support the leading role of the United Nations in the context of the effort made to promote peace, stability, a representative government and reconstruction in Afghanistan. They welcome the Bonn agreement which opens the door of peace, freedom and prosperity to the Afghan people, calling on the international community to support this process. They also promise their full cooperation at the next meeting of the Steering Group in Brussels.
3. JHA: Euro-Canadian collaboration in the fields of justice, migration and the right to asylum will continue and may even become closer in the judicial area. The partners will "explore" the possibility of negotiating a Treaty on judicial cooperation and the establishment of links between Canada and Eurojust, as well as concluding an agreement between Canada and Europol. "We shall intensify our cooperation concerning air safety, mainly within the ICAO, and the security of documents, as well as the fight against the trafficking of migrants and people smuggling.
4. On the Middle East crisis, "we wish to express our deep concern about the extreme gravity of the situation, that has caused the deaths of innocent civilians", say the EU and Canada, before confirming their support not only to the Palestinian Authority but also to its leader elect, Yasser Arafat, which remain the only partners with which Israel can negotiate a final agreement, eliminate terrorism and build peace". The partners recall that this peace can only be founded on the UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 and on: 1) confirmation and full recognition of Israel's right to live in peace and security; 2) the establishment of a democratic, viable and independent Palestinian State, as well as an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories. They invite both parties in the conflict to do everything they can to put an end to the violence and to work towards restoring a climate that is favourable for negotiations, the best "instrument" to this end being, they believe, the report by the Mitchell Commission, which has still to be applied "without delay and without conditions".
5. Africa: The eradication of poverty as well as the prevention and resolution of violent conflicts in Africa are among the most important challenges of the world today, said the partners, who will combine their efforts to settle the problems of implementing the results of the Kimberley process, intended to break the link between "conflict diamonds" and armed conflict. The G8 next June is expected to adopt an action plan to strengthen this initiative which "tables on the principles of responsibility being taken by Africans and of their control of the development process, giving Africa its rightful place in the international community by putting the African continent along the road to sustainable growth and development", they announce.
6. Non-proliferation: The EU and Canada will actively support the negotiating process aimed at finalising the draft international code of conduct against the proliferation of ballistic weapons.
7. Security and Defence: The aim is to finalise the arrangements for Canadian participation in the civil and military aspects of EU-led crisis management operations which, when NATO means are called for, will entail the "rapid holding of closer consultation".